Leeds United 2-1 Barnsley
- Published
Ezgjan Alioski's goal was his seventh in 42 appearances this season
Barnsley's hopes of avoiding relegation took a blow with a narrow defeat by former head coach Paul Heckingbottom's Leeds United at Elland Road.
Tom Pearce put Leeds ahead with his first senior goal, firing into the bottom right corner from 25 yards out.
But Barnsley levelled before the break, Paudie O'Connor deflecting Zeki Fryers' cross into his own net.
Ezgjan Alioski's tap in restored the hosts' lead, and Barnsley could not turn late pressure into a second goal.
Oli McBurnie had a goal disallowed for offside and Kieffer Moore somehow directed Adam Hammill's cross wide of an open goal when it looked easier to score.
Young Leeds keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell gave another assured performance in goal, and Pearce and O'Connor, both 20, also impressed once again in defence, giving Leeds boss Heckingbottom some positives to take into next season after a difficult start to life at Elland Road.
Barnsley, meanwhile, slipped ever closer to a return to League One after falling to a sixth defeat in 12 games under Heckingbottom's replacement, Jose Morais.
The Tykes are only two points behind nearest rivals Bolton with a game in hand, but they have just three matches left to overhaul the Trotters.
Leeds United assistant head coach Jamie Clapham:
"The first 15, 20 minutes we were exceptional - we played really fast and were on the front foot.
"Then we got the goal and for some unknown reason we just switched off and they managed to get in the game.
"You can see the equaliser was coming for them and then at half-time we had to have strong words.
"We got the goal and controlled large periods again then. Towards the end it was a real battle and we had to man up and do everything you need to get results."
Barnsley boss Jose Morais:
"It's between us and the teams close to us in this moment, Bolton is the team that is closest and my belief is that we have to definitely win the next game.
"Winning this game we will be in a good position and after that is to control in terms of making the same results as the teams that we are in a direct fight with.
"Tuesday is a must-win game, definitely."