Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 Barnsley: Dominik Frieser scores winner for Tykes
- Published
Josh Windass has netted six goals in 24 appearances since scoring on his Sheffield Wednesday debut against Barnsley last February
A first-half turnaround gave Barnsley victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the South Yorkshire derby and continued Tony Pulis' winless start as Owls boss.
Josh Windass opened the scoring for the home side, tapping in after keeper Jack Walton failed to clear a long ball.
The visitors levelled when Cauley Woodrow headed in and Dominik Frieser finished off a fine move for the lead.
Wednesday were denied a late leveller with Walton tipping Joey Pelupessy's 78th minute strike on to the post.
A win would have lifted Wednesday to within a point of 21st - the closest they have been to safety all season.
And they looked on course to continue their 12-match unbeaten run over the Tykes after Windass capitalised on Walton's error.
But after their first-half comeback, Barnsley dominated proceedings, and thought they'd gone 3-1 up just before the hour mark only for Conor Chaplin's effort to be ruled out for offside.
And despite some later Wednesday pressure, the visitors comfortably ran out winners, jumping up to 13th in the Championship and leaving the Owls rooted to the bottom of the table.
And there was further misery for the Hillsborough side as defender Dominic Iorfa withdrew with an Achilles injury 12 minutes from time.
Owls boss Tony Pulis told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It's confidence, and how do you breed confidence? We switched off twice, the first goal is comical really and then the second goal, it's just a one-two around the corner.
"Really disappointing. We changed it around in the second half, there was a lot more positivity and the shot that came off the woodwork. Those little breaks when you're going well, they go in.
"We had two or three great opportunities but the final pass [let us down]. It's difficult at the moment. Dominic Iorfa has done his Achilles. We don't want to lose him. In training he's like a Rolls-Royce."
Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"I know the meaning of this game, I feel it in the changing room with these guys. Especially for our fans. A big win tonight and it'll give us great confidence for the next game on Tuesday.
"We are a young team. We have to accept that we can make mistakes. But we believed in ourselves to come back into the game. We did it against Birmingham and tonight it was the same response.
"It's a good feeling. We have the capacity now to come back in any game."