A decent atmosphere at Oakwell for once with Donny filling 80% of their stand and a lively backing from their fans - must have been the excitement of getting away from the worst ground in the division I suppose or maybe just the likely prospect of three points on their travels.
Barnsley lined up as expected except for the inclusion of Michael Boulding in place of Tom Williams on the left side of midfield. Paul Reid replaced the injured Antony Kay at centre-back. Bobby Hassell was on the bench.
The Reds (surprise! surprise!) and especially Barry Conlon looked up for it from the start for a change which was just as well against a physical and dirty Rovers side. Less than five minutes had passed before Stephen McPhail was caught very late by John Doolan and had to be replaced by Nicky Wroe.
Barnsley had easily the best two chances of the first half. The first - a point blank shot from Michael Chopra after an excellent cross from Wroe was saved well by Andy Warrington. The second from Chris Shuker who attempted an audacious chip which went just wide despite Chopra's desperate lunge at the post. Most strikers would have just blasted it into the net but thats what we are lacking - a natural goalscorer PLAYING UP FRONT.
The Reds dominated possession as usual but the lack of a cutting edge and the usual lapse in concentration gifted Rovers an injury-time lead before half-time. After conceding a corner but clearing it, a long ball back in found the nippy Jermaine McSporran on the right and his low cross was poked home by Reds defender Paul Reid.
The niggly nature of the match was highlighted as the shoving between the teams continued as the players walked towards the tunnel.
Now you may think the Reds would have come out for the second half determined to get back on level terms after Paul Hart's words of wisdom. But with the exception of a free Conlon header from a corner which he totally mistimed, Rovers looked the better side after the break.
It was no surprise when Greg Blundell notched Rovers second after a corner was once again half cleared and as the chants of "We want Hart out" competed with a rather predictable "Just like watching Brazil from the Rovers fans, we conceded a comical third just two minutes later.
Another harmless looking McSporran cross was needlessly knocked into his own net by Tony Vaughan having another 'quality' game. The Reds players looked stunned and were probably lucky not to concede again as Rovers direct style of play continued to cause problems and one great shot hit the bar.
Surprisingly things improved as Hassell replaced the injured Vaughan at centre back and Conlon hit the bar with a header from just a few yards out - the rebound dropped to Chopra and his shot was blocked on the line.
Rovers possibly eased off a bit and the Reds at last got the goal they at least deserved when Shuker's run and cross gave Chopra an easy finish. Paul Hart brought Daniel Nardiello for Boulding as the Reds tried to get back into the game and after 75 minutes it was Nadriello's pass which put Chopra clean through on goal - Warrington saved again.
A couple of minutes later the hopes of a comeback were crushed when Jacob Burns rather pointlessly pulled back McSporran and received his marching orders with his second yellow of the game.
A few minutes later former Reds midfielder Ricky Ravenhill saw red after swinging a punch at Chopra. Despite four minutes stoppage time, there were no more goals or red cards and Barnsley left the field to the now compulsory boos.
So where now? A new manager is what most fans now seem to want and although I have to say we were unlucky tonight at times, Paul Hart's team doesn't seem capable of competing in this division. The fact that our players individually are better than most at this level makes things worse. Conlon, Chopra or Shuker for all their effort are not natural goalscorers - we need a 20-goal striker (Nardiello or Boulding) up front week in week out to have a chance in this division. As for our midfielders, Wroe showed hes not quite good enough (yet) - Burns never will be - and the injured McPhail wont be missed.