BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

Reds 2 (Mellis 4, O'Grady 50) 
Hull City 0 

The Reds aren't safe yet but they've given themselves a huge chance of staying up after a brilliant performance to destroy Hull City – on the brink of promotion – 2-0. 

The atmosphere was cranked up to 11 at Oakwell in this big game for both sides. But it was the Reds who started with a bang as it took just four minutes for Jacob Mellis to smash in the opener. He was set away by O'Grady down the right and from a ridiculous angle he thundered in off the bar.  

At the other end Luke Steele was lobbed by Boyd but Kennedy glanced away to deny the Tigers a virtually instant leveller. 

The tempo had by no means slowed down by the 200-minute mark, but the travelling Hull fans were subdued compared to kick-off. Brady fired wide in anger before Dagnall saw appeals for handball in the box turned down by Chris Foy. 

Boyd tried his luck on 25 minutes with a half-volley but Steele handled with ease. City seemed under a lot of pressure. 

Barnsley were playing plenty of neat and tidy football, with Chris O’Grady playing his part up top with some seriously strong hold-up play. 

It must be said that it was all Barnsley, and Hull’s frustration was growing as they struggled to string two passes together. 

Before half time it was almost 2-0 as Reuben Noble-Lazarus took on three Hull defenders and worked his way into the box before dragging inches wide. It would have been a contender for goal of the season. 

Second half 

Five minutes into the second half Oakwell was absolutely bouncing because Chris O'Grady thumped in right in front of the Ponty End. It was a fine finish from just inside the area after the front-man appeared to thwart his team-mate Dagnall's efforts at an attempt on goal.

The Reds were in control and Quinn's afternoon was summed up when he fell over the ball whilst trying a fancy trick down the left flank.

Jason Scotland replaced goal-scorer Jacob Mellis on 66 minutes. Chances were few and far between with Luke Steele barely having to throw his cap on a few. Although Jay Simpson had a decent chance with a volley 10 yards out but Wiseman got in the way with a great block. 

Proschwitz nodded down but wide as Elmohamady whipped in a decent cross from the right, but that was the best second-placed Hull could muster. 

After an instrumental display from the returning Kelvin Etuhu, he pulled up with cramp on 77 minutes but carried on, thankfully. The Reds did make another chance with Chris Dagnall coming off for Jim McNulty. 

Reuben Noble-Lazarus almost pinged in a wonder-goal on the half-volley but he just sliced his effort slightly. 

Chris O'Grady rightfully received a standing ovation when he was replaced in stoppage time by Danny Rose. The full time whistle sparked great scenes from three sides of Oakwell - the faithful knowing the job isn't done but appreciative of their side's heroic efforts since the turn of the year.

Full time 

Teams 

Reds: Steele, Cranie, Kennedy, Wiseman, Noble-Lazarus, O’Brien, Mellis (Scotland 66), Perkins, Etuhu, O’Grady (Rose 90), Dagnall (McNulty 78). 
Subs: Alnwick, Harewood, Cywka, Jones. 

Stockdale, Chester, Evans (Rosenior 78), Fryatt (Proschwitz 61), McShane, Faye, Elmohamady, Quinn, Brady, Meyler, Boyd (Simpson 46). 
Subs: Jakupovic, Hobbs, Cairney, Fahti. 

Attendance: 15744 (5969 away)