Barnsley 1-0 Middlesbrough: Conor Chaplin boosts Tykes' hopes of relegation escape

Conor Chaplin scored for the first time in five games as Barnsley boosted their chances of avoiding relegation with a home win over below-par Middlesbrough.

Chaplin kept his composure to net left-footed at the second attempt at a windy Oakwell after his initial effort struck the crossbar following Jacob Brown's nod down.

Having beaten Fulham last week, the goal was enough to give Gerhard Struber's Tykes back-to-back victories for only the second time this season.

Lewis Wing went close for Boro with a free-kick which deflected just wide off the wall, but the result stretched their winless run in the Championship to eight matches.

Manager Jonathan Woodgate shook up his side with four changes, giving striker Britt Assombalonga only his second start of 2020 and former Barnsley loanee Ryan Shotton his first since October.

But, after a promising opening, it was Barnsley who coped best in challenging conditions with Alex Mowatt and Chaplin both going close before the break.

Without a clean sheet at home in 16 matches since the opening day of the season, the hosts coped well with Boro's sporadic attacking forays and Mowatt was just too high from 18 yards before crossing for Cauley Woodrow to head just over.

Chaplin's goal finally broke the deadlock, and although Ashley Fletcher headed wide from close range in added time, the visitors were unable to salvage a point.

They drop to 20th, just three points clear of the relegation places, with Barnsley now off the bottom, but five points from safety with a dozen games left to play.

Barnsley head coach Gerhard Struber said:

"The attitude and the energy was amazing and I'm very proud of my team today. I hope we can bring this energy in the next few weeks.

"We believe in us and we were very clear in our plan on the ball today. We had a different formation and my three centre-backs created a special performance.

"We celebrate a big win against a very good team. In the whole league, they have two strikers with very big quality and my three centre-backs gave them no chance."

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:

"It's a realty frustrating day, they played better than us on the day and deserved to win.

"We're going through a difficult time and we need experience on the pitch. People will always scrutinise your calls, if you win the game it was the right decision if not people will question you.

"The pressure was on today and that's when you need players to stand up and get on the ball and that's what we need to get back to doing."