Barnsley 2-1 Millwall: Michal Helik goal helps Tykes to fifth straight win
- Published
Cauley Woodrow scored his 10th goal of the season as Barnsley opened the scoring after just two minutes
Barnsley continued their march towards the Championship play-off places by making it five wins in a row with victory over Millwall.
The Tykes took the lead inside two minutes when Alex Mowatt's free-kick was not dealt with and Cauley Woodrow smashed home his 10th goal of the season.
But the lead was short-lived as Mason Bennett levelled for Millwall after six minutes following a swift counter-attack.
Barnsley defender Michal Helik grabbed the winner after 59 minutes, lashing a finely-struck volley past Lions goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.
Both sides came into the game in good form with Barnsley winning their past four and Millwall unbeaten in nine league games.
In a fast-paced opening it was not long before the Tykes were ahead. Mowatt floated a ball into the penalty area which fell kindly to Woodrow, who swivelled before firing past Bialkowski.
Barnsley's confidence was soaring but as they went in search of a second they left themselves open at the back and a fast break saw Bennett drive into space, before unleashing a left-footed shot across Bradley Collins, to equalise just four minutes after the opener.
Callum Styles, a goalscorer in Barnsley's midweek win over Stoke, had a chance to put the hosts back into the lead shortly before the break but sent his shot wide as the sides finished the half level.
Bennett went close to giving Millwall the lead after 55 minutes but his effort was saved by Tykes goalkeeper Collins, before Barnsley midfielder Mowatt tried his luck with a free-kick from 20 yards which beat the wall, but not the dive of Bialkowski.
But the Lions goalkeeper was beaten after 59 minutes when a long ball was headed-on by Mads Andersen to Helik, allowing the Polish defender to fire an unstoppable volley past his compatriot.
The lively Bennett was continuing to cause problems for the Tykes backline and found himself through on goal with 17 minutes remaining but put too much on his effort and it sailed over.
The victory sees Valerien Ismael's upwardly mobile side rise to seventh, just a point outside the play-off places, while Millwall drop a place to 12th.
Tykes boss Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"Congratulations to the guys. It was a big battle. We expected that sort of game against a strong side.
"We defended very well apart from the goal. We did better in the second half with more passion and more desire to win the duel. It's another win for team spirit. It's brilliant and is good for confidence.
"We need to recover now but it's a great feeling to reach 51 points in February. It's great to see the guys improve every week, never complain and try to go one step further. We know now we can beat anyone."
Lions manager Gary Rowett:
"I thought it was a very close game. I thought we were the better side in the first half and they were probably the better side in the second half.
"The first goal is offside. I'm not going to massively complain about it but it's a clear offside and I think the linesman should certainly be able to see that.
"They are really direct. They're probably the most direct side that I've seen in the Championship. They're good at it. It's the Championship and you don't always get what you deserve. We didn't play with enough quality and we didn't defend set-pieces."
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