Coventry City 2-0 Barnsley: Sky Blues move nine points clear of bottom three
- Published
Dominic Hyam (right) gave the hosts the lead with his second goal of the season
A second win in three days saw Coventry move further clear of relegation danger and dent Barnsley's play-off hopes.
The home team made the perfect start when Dominic Hyam fired an excellent shot past Bradley Collins in the Tykes goal.
Daryl Dike came close to a late leveller when his effort from Alex Mowatt's cross hit the post.
Matty Godden made the points safe in stoppage-time with a wonderful finish after his initial effort had been blocked.
The victory lifted the Sky Blues nine points clear of the bottom three in 18th, while Barnsley remained in the play-off places in sixth, but just four points clear of seventh-placed Reading.
Defeat, on a day when they struggled to create clear openings, ended Barnsley's record of six successive away victories.
They fell behind in the ninth minute when Hyam smashed a bouncing ball past Collins from the edge of the area after the visitors had been caught out by a quick throw-in.
Cauley Woodrow came close to an equaliser just before the break when he shot just past the post, and Coventry goalkeeper Ben Wilson made a good save to deny sub Dominik Frieser after the break.
With Barnsley chasing a late leveller, Godden wrapped up the win when he got in behind the Tykes defence and sent a low effort into the bottom corner.
Mark Robins' side travel to Stoke on Wednesday in search of a third win in four, while Valerien Ismael's side visit Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield on the same evening.
Coventry City boss Mark Robins:
"It was a much-needed win. There are still games to come and points to play for so I wouldn't want anybody thinking it was job done.
"We need to get into the 50s. That has to be the aim.
"We need to put as much distance as we can between us and the teams around us but there are also teams we can catch in front of us and that has to be the challenge for us.
"The quality in the game is bereft a little bit now because the stakes are so high.
"But within it we played some good stuff and we did what we needed to do to."
Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael:
"It was not enough today. The first half, we didn't shoot on target.
"The second half was better but over the 90 minutes, Coventry deserved to win. They were well organised and we were not good enough.
"But it's not time to complain. We just have to focus on the next game.
"We have put in a big effort so far and we move quickly on to the next game now. We need to bounce back."