Midfielder Adam Phillips scored twice after an opener from Donovan Pines as Barnsley produced a dominant display to coast to a 3-0 victory at Crawley in League One.
Crawley, beaten at home for the first time in five months, never looked likely to mount a comeback after conceding three times in the first half and Barnsley are now unbeaten in their last four league games.
Scott Lindsey warned his young Crawley side to expect the most physical test so far up against a Barnsley team containing "strong powerful players".
The Red Devils, before a crowd of nearly 5,000, had a let off inside the first minute when former Crawley striker Max Watters burst through and struck the base of the post after being put through by Luca Connell.
Watters was forced off injured after only nine minutes and his replacement, Aidan Marsh, had a shot turned around the post by goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott before the visitors went ahead.
American defender Pines headed in a Corey O’Keefe corner at the far post after 13 minutes and Phillips, after earlier hitting the post, burst through to double the advantage with a cool finish in the 23rd minute.
It got worse for Crawley in first-half stoppage time when Joy Mukena fouled the on-rushing Phillips and the attacking midfielder coolly stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.
The hosts came under more pressure shortly after the restart when Connell’s shot was well saved by Wollacott before Mael De Gevigney headed the resulting corner just over.
Barnsley, who comfortably saw the game out, threatened again when Wollacott denied Kyran Lofthouse in a one-on-one situation before the former Swindon keeper saved a goal-bound attempt by Marsh.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
