Wrexham have never secured a league double against Barnsley
Wrexham's eight-game unbeaten run in League One came to an end as they were beaten by Barnsley at Oakwell.
After Ollie Rathbone had an early effort disallowed for offside, the hosts went ahead as Davis Keillor-Dunn controlled a crossfield pass before cutting on to his right foot and curling beyond Mark Howard.
Darrell Clarke's men doubled their lead in the 24th minute as Max Watters robbed Eoghan O'Connell of possession before teeing up Adam Phillips whose curling effort from the edge of the box sailed into the top corner.
Steven Fletcher, Paul Mullin and Max Cleworth all had chances for the visitors while George Dobson struck the crossbar as Wrexham pushed hard to get back into the contest.
They set up a tense finish as Mullin's scuffed cross was lashed into the net by Cleworth on 80 minutes.
But Barnsley - who have never lost a home Football League match against Wrexham in 17 attempts - held on to clinch a third successive win.
Barnsley climb to sixth while Wrexham trail league leaders Wycombe Wanderers - who have a game in hand - by two points.
Barnsley boss Darrell Clarke told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"First half, a couple of great strikes.
"The second half, we were hanging on, but you'd expect that against a team that's on a long unbeaten run, not used to losing with a talented squad and manager.
"It's a real positive start to the new year with a win."
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told BBC Radio Wales:
"How we haven't got something out of that game I'll never know.
"We've had things cleared off the line, headers from five yards out not gone in the back of the net.
"We've completely dominated the second half. It was an outstanding effort from the lads to get back into the game. The lads have given absolutely everything."
