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Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom ready for 'huge' play-off final showdown with Millwall

Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with how Barnsley approached their return game with Walsall after winning the first leg 3-0
Image: Paul Heckingbottom was pleased with how Barnsley approached their return game with Walsall after winning the first leg 3-0

Barnsley caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom says winning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship would dwarf the club's Johnstone's Paint Trophy success at Wembley in April.

The Tykes return to the national stadium for the second time in two months to take on Millwall in the Sky Bet League One play-off final on Sunday, with a spot in the second tier on offer for the winner.

They head back to Wembley with good memories after a JPT win over Oxford United last month and while the South Yorkshire club enjoyed that day, victory this weekend will mean much more.

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"It's absolutely huge, you don't want to do the Johnstone's Paint Trophy down at all because it was massive," Heckingbottom said.

"What an occasion, what a run, it helped to change the club's season around. It was the first bit of silverware in a long time and we celebrated it well, everybody loved it.

Barnsley's Adam Hammill (left) and Lloyd Isgrove celebrate in the Sky Bet League One Play-Off, Second Leg at Banks's Stadium, Walsall
Image: Barnsley's Adam Hammill and Lloyd Isgrove celebrate a 6-1 aggregate victory over Walsall

"It brought a lot of people together at the club but this is bigger for what's at stake. It's not a cup final, it's promotion, it's the chance to perform at the next level."

Barnsley are unbeaten since the game after that JPT victory, eight matches in total, and their sizzling form has put them in with a great chance of returning to the Championship just two years after dropping out.

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Barnsley players celebrate with the trophy
Image: Barnsley beat Oxford United to lift the Johnstone's Paint Trophy

"The lads have done so well, chasing the play-offs, getting there, winning the semi-final and now the final goal is the biggest one, the final," Heckingbottom, who is likely to agree terms to turn his role into a permanent one after the game, added.

"Credit to them, they have been relentless."

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Highlights of Barnsley's 3-1 win at Walsall in the League One play-off semi-final second leg

Watch all three play-off finals live on Sky Sports this weekend - or follow with our live blogs on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps.

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