Blackburn Rovers 3-2 Barnsley: Gerhard Struber's first game as Tykes boss ends in defeat

Bradley Dack scored twice as Blackburn Rovers spoiled Gerhard Struber's first match as Barnsley head coach with victory over the Championship's bottom club.

Rovers went ahead when a poor ball out of defence by centre-back Mads Andersen allowed Adam Armstrong to square to Dack for an easy tap-in.

Barnsley, without a win since the opening day of the season, levelled when half-time substitute Connor Chaplin fired home.

Stewart Downing restored Blackburn's lead with a low shot before Cauley Woodrow chested home Barnsley's second, only for Dack to seal the points after goalkeeper Sami Radlinger saved his initial header.

Struber made five changes, giving starts to fellow Austrians Radlinger and forward Patrick Schmidt up front, while Darragh Lenihan returned for Blackburn after missing almost two months with a knee injury.

Barnsley showed encouraging signs for their new boss going forward, but a worrying tendency to give the ball away in their own half again cost them dear, with misplaced passes leading to the first two Rovers goals.

They have now conceded 36 times in 17 games this season, compared to just 39 in the whole of their 2018-19 League One promotion campaign.

Woodrow's goal looked like it had salvaged a draw for the visitors, but Dack kept his head to slot home his eighth of the season into the roof of the net and win it for Blackburn.

They move up a place to 17th, with Barnsley now four points adrift at the bottom - and five from safety.

Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray:

"I love watching Dack when he gets wrapped up in it like he did in the second half; working, running, going playing where the ball is, playing like a kid in the playground really and he's got such natural talent.

"It was all about getting three points. That's what we talked about, not about performance levels, but just trying to get three points. I think it was a really dangerous game for us.

"I've watched Barnsley and I have to say they're a pretty good team. I like the way they play, I think they're full of energy, youthful and play forward."

Barnsley boss Gerhard Struber:

"In the second half we created a very good game and one point was the minimum we deserved.

"The situation is difficult, yes, I am not a dreamer.

"But I know when we can create the next time, with better positioning, better control on the ball, I think that we will have good chances to win games and this is our task, and I trust my team will get better next time."