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Barnsley 2 Middlesbrough 0
BARNSLEY boss Mark Robins couldn't be happier with the progress his ambitious side are making - and the proof in the pudding was plain to see on Saturday as the Tykes upset promotion-fancied Middlesbrough.
Goals from skipper Jason Shackell, his first in Tykes' colours, and a sweet injury-time strike from Adam Hammill did the trick for Robins charges who have now collected seven from a possible nine points in their last three league outings.
And with victory, their second in the npower Championship this term, the Tykes climbed three places up to 10th in the table.
Robins had stressed the need to finish strongly before the international break - and his team didn't disappoint in front of 11,767 supporters, the biggest gate of the season so far at Oakwell.
"One week in this league you are garbage and the next week you get caviar. I think we (the team] were getting up to caviar, definitely," reflected a delighted Robins.
And Robins can afford to be happy with a welcome break to rest some of his players.
"They (Middlesbrough] improved in the second half and put us under a lot more pressure, but we defended well when it mattered the most," added Robins.
"But we created lots of chances and could have won by more. I'm absolutely delighted because I thought we were excellent from start to finish. It was a great display.
"Middlesbrough are one of the favourites to go up, so it's always difficult for clubs like ourselves to compete against them.
"We can't compete with them in the transfer market, that's for sure, but we certainly competed out there on the pitch and were good value for the win."
Boro strikers Kris Boyd and Scott McDonald were tipped to cause the Tykes plenty of problems, but the home team - marshalled by man-of-the-match Shackell - kept the two hitmen at bay for much of an absorbing contest.
"We dealt with their strikeforce really well - and they've got two top strikers," confirmed Robins. "There was a spell in the second half where we just got stretched, but we've managed to re-shuffle and everybody played a great part in a great display."
Robins had the luxury of naming an unchanged side for third successive league match and that gave right-back Bobby Hassell the chance to make his 200th club start.
New signing Jim O'Brien was handed a start from the substitute's bench having recovered from a thigh injury - and the former Motherwell man featured for the last half hour as the Tykes made it successive victories over Boro in the last two seasons.
Victory was achieved with the help of the in-form Luke Steele. The Tykes keeper came in for some criticism last weekend after his clanger provided Bristol City the momentum to clinch a 3-3 draw at Ashton Gate.
But the former Manchester United ace came good at home with a string of fine saves to frustrate the visitors.
"Luke got criticised for his performance last week, but this weekend he's been fantastic," praised Robins. "He's kept everything out and made some excellent saves."
As early as the eighth minute ex-Liverpool winger Hammill fired wide from distance and then Manchester City loan recruit Kieran Trippier shot over from an acute angle.
The Tykes were lucky in the 13th minute when McDonald headed against the foot of the right post from a lovely cross by Barry Robson.
Four minutes later midfielder Tarmo Kink struck a powerful left-foot wide of the right post, before Scottish international Boyd had a close-range shot well saved by Steele.
But the Tykes responded well and deservedly took the lead, Shackell scoring after a routine straight off the training ground.
Trippier's left-wing corner picked out the big defender at the back post and he directed his header over Boro keeper Jason Steele and into the far corner.
Hammill shot over a minute afterwards and then striker Andy Gray, looking for 100th career goal, set up Goran Lovre and the midfielder saw Steele pull-off a fine point-blank save with his legs to deny him.
Boyd's clever chip was saved by Steele at other end and the striker also had a right-foot shot deflected wide for a corner.
Hugo Colace went close to doubling the Tykes' lead a minute before the break, but his diving header from a Lovre cross flew inches over.
Kink fired over the bar on the stroke of half-time and seven minutes after the resumption Hammill struck a shot straight at Steele.
Hammill somehow side-footed wide with the goal at his mercy moments later, while Kink scuffed a volley wide of the target as Boro kept battling.
Shackell limped off injured on the hour mark with a dead leg and the Tykes also lost Diego Arismendi late one with cramp, as well as Trippier in the last minute with a leg injury.
Steele saved well from Kink and, shortly after, the Tykes had a good shout for a penalty when Stephen Foster's header struck Boyd's right-arm on his goalline. But Hertfordshire referee Keith Hill waved away the Tykes' protests.
Hammill had a right-foot shot saved by Steele and curled a shot wide, but it was third time lucky for the winger as he beat the Boro keeper with a clinical finish in the fourth and final minute of injury-time.
Manager's View
"I'm absolutely delighted because I thought we were excellent from start to finish. It was a great display.
"Middlesbrough are one of the favourites to go up, so it's always difficult for clubs like ourselves to compete against them.
"We can't compete with them in the transfer market, that's for sure, but we certainly competed out there on the pitch and were good value for the win."
Got a view? Leave a comment below.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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