Barnsley 2-0 Brentford: Tykes boost survival hopes and end Bees play-off dream

Barnsley defied the form book to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation with a stunning 2-0 victory over promotion-chasing Brentford.

Kieffer Moore scored the opener after 11 minutes before Oliver McBurnie headed in the second six minutes after the break in what might have been his last home appearance for the Tykes.

The home side had lost more points from winning positions at home than any other side before the game, but they held on to end their run of four games without a win.

The victory was as big as they come for Barnsley too as it moves them out of them out of the danger zone - but only on goal difference.

Meanwhile, defeat ended any slim hopes Brentford had of earning a play-off spot and the lack-lustre performance saw their run of three unbeaten away games end too.

Barnsley took a shock early lead through a swift counter-attack. Gary Gardner won the ball inside his own box, broke to the halfway line and released Moore down the left-hand side. The striker then looked to cross with his weaker left foot but instead saw the ball sail over David Bentley and go in off the post.

Moore should have doubled his tally in the 25th minute when Connor Mahoney sent a delightful cross into the box but the forward could not quite direct his diving header on target and it flashed just wide.

The visitors were beginning to stamp their authority on the game and Oliver Watkins found himself with space to run into and only goalkeeper Jack Walton to beat, however Liam Lindsay somehow recovered and ended the danger with a superb sliding tackle.

Shortly before the break, the Scottish defender made another important block from Sergi Canos' shot, while - from the resulting corner - Chris Mepham was unlucky to miss with a snap-shot from the edge of the box.

With the Bees failing to take advantage of their pressure, Barnsley struck again six minutes after the restart. Adam Hammill registered his first assist of the season at a pivotal time as his deep-corner delivery found McBurnie, who netted his ninth goal for the club in front of the home fans.

Unbelievably, Moore then missed an open goal from six yards. Mahoney had done well to beat two defenders and cut in on his left, Bentley matched the 21-year-old's shot but he could only push it to Moore who skied his effort.

Barnsley were full of confidence and Hammill flicked the ball to Moore, but could not quite find the bottom corner with his left foot as he sent it wide again.

Yoann Barbet dragged an effort well wide for the travelling side before Mepham tried to blast an effort in from distance but Brentford could not get past the home defence.

The managers

Jose Morais: "I'm very proud of the team. The way we performed today was something that I was expecting, but much more times than it in fact did happen here. We deserved more times than just the two times we won at home while I have been here.

"I am happy for the boys, happy for the club and happy for the fans because these players wanted to reward the fans with a win in our last game here. I think they always wanted it. I know the effort they are putting in, the will they have and I know the quality they have. For some reason, in some moments, things just don't come out. But I believed the seeds were there and one day they will come out - today was one of those days."

Dean Smith: "The assessment was we were in total control for 15 minutes. They wandered into our half and scored a spawny goal with a deflected effort that's hit the crossbar and gone in.

"You know when your luck is against you and that certainly shows you. I think it gave them a lift because it was the only time they'd been in our half, I think." For five minutes I thought they passed it a little bit and then we took over the game again in the first half. But our final ball or our decision making just let us down."