Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Barnsley 2-0 Queens Park Rangers

Now as you all know Marc Richards isn't exactly my favourite player to say the least but I will always give credit where credits due and tonight he was magnificent.

I'm not sure if the threat of plunging back into League One with Port Vale has spurred him on but after hearing of a fine display at Luton last weekend he was very impressive again tonight.

He may have got lucky with the opening goal with the last kick of the first half when he looked half a mile offside but the way he led the line, won balls in the air and kept fighting despite been kicked around the pitch by a rough QPR defence impressed me massively.

There were also an admirable performance from Adam Eckersley who is 10 times better than Paul Heckingbottom who was left out of the squad for the second game in a row, as was Paul Hayes who now seems destined for a move to Southend before tomorrows transfer deadline. The arrival of striker Peter Rajczi for Friday's game at Cardiff seems to have hastened Hayes' departure.

The first half was a real non-event as both teams inevitable scrapped and fought for every ball, neither team daring to risk making a mistake that could push them deeper into relegation danger.

Referee Carl Boyeson's insistence on blowing up for every little niggle didn't help the game flow either.

Both teams seemed destined to go into the half time goalless until Richards popped up with practically the last kick of the half to give The Reds a major boost.

Richards looked at least half a yard offside when he collected Hassell's raking cross.

But thankfully the flag stayed down and Richards controlled the ball before poking past a stranded Simon Royce.

As usual though a first half lead often leads to the backs to the wall job in the second period and so it proved again.

From almost the first whistle of the second period The Reds stuck 10 men behind the ball with only a woefully out of form Daniel Nardiello ploughing a lonely furrow upfront.

QPR proved though why they are struggling with The Reds at the bottom of the table.

Neat and quick approach work often fell to pieces once The R's got a sniff of Colgan's 18 yard line and wayward shots from debutant Adam Bolder and Lee Cook were the best they could muster.

Whenever QPR got close to the Barnsley goal on loan Adam Eckersley was superb producing 3 outstanding blocks to prove his growing potential.

QPR should have been handed an equaliser though when Togwell clearly handled in the area but referee Boyeson was surely the only person in the ground who failed to notice it. Or maybe he was evening things up after Paul Furlong clearly handled in The Reds area before fashioning a chance in the first half that Boyeson failed to spot. Gotta love these consistent refs….

And after scoring in first half stoppage time the game was sealed Barnsley's way in the first minute of the 4 added at the end when Howard scored a beauty reminiscent of Wayne Rooney's effort for Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Howard burst through The R's half and looked like he was about to have a crack before hitting a stupendous chip over Royce who was off his line.

A perfect way to end a perfect result and The Reds out of the bottom three. This season that's all that counts.

Player Ratings:

Nick Colgan: Sometimes seems to forget he can actually venture outside his 6yard box but really was rarely troubled this evening. 2 successive clean sheets will have boosted his confidence along with his call into the Ireland squad. 7

Adam Eckersley: Outstanding and finally we looked solid down the left hand side. Made 3 outstanding blocks in the second half and even looked impressive going forward. 8

Antony Kay: Not as influential as in previous games but held the defence together well in the second half onslaught 7

Paul Reid ©: Hopefully getting back to last seasons form. Refused to be bullied by QPR's gangly strikers. 7

Bobby Hassell: Got caught out a couple of times in the second half but solid when he needed to be. Mr Dependable when it matters. And a great cross for Richards' goal. 7

Martin Devaney: Showed flashes of his skills throughout the game although it came in fits and bursts. Bizarrely booked for leaving a throw-in to Hassell. Booked. 7

Sam Togwell: Mr Anonymous again. Can anybody tell me what he does apart from run around? 5

Grant McCann: Switched from centre to the left with Howard throughout the game and was neat and tidy. Broke up QPR's attacks far better than “defensive midfielder” Togwell. 7

Brian Howard: The shining light this season and proved it again tonight with that truly wonderful and memorable goal in injury time. The sooner he signs a new contract the better! 8

Daniel Nardiello: Needs a pick-me-up and fast. The arrival of Rajczi further threatens his position. 5

Marc Richards: It was January 2006 the last time he looked a class act I really hope it's not another year before we see him perform again. Outstanding tonight. 9

Substitutes:

Kyel Reid (for Nardiello 73) Surprisingly put upfront but he offered far more of a threat than Nardiello had before him. Good to see him signed until the end of the season. 7

Unused Substitutes:

David Lucas, Robert Atkinson, Dwayne Mattis, Michael Coulson.

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Brian Howard

Barnsley lie in 19^th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 32 points from 30 games. We are 17

points off the Play-Offs, 21points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 27 points off First Place and 2 points above the Relegation Zone.

Next Up:

On The Road:

Cardiff City v Barnsley Friday 2^nd February 2007 LIVE ON SKY Kick-Off 7:45pm

Tickets:

Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Cardiff

Tickets: £19