Match ends, Barnsley 2, Tranmere Rovers 0.
BarnsleyBarnsley2TranmereTranmere Rovers0
Michel Helik's header and a stoppage-time penalty from Cauley Woodrow sent Barnsley through to the fourth round of the FA Cup as they edged out Tranmere.
After dominating the first half without scoring, the hosts finally broke the deadlock as a flat cross from Herbie Kane was headed in by Helik.
Woodrow sealed the tie from the spot deep into four minutes of injury time.
James Vaughan had Tranmere's best chance but his low shot was well saved by Barnsley goalkeeper Brad Collins.
That opportunity at the end of the first half followed the best move of the game from the League Two side, as Kaiyne Woolery broke down the right and crossed for Vaughan, who was denied by the legs of Collins.
It would have given Tranmere the lead very much against the run of play after Barnsley, who have produced an impressive recent run towards the Championship play-off places, went close on several occasions.
But they eventually found a goal after neat interplay on the right-hand side of the penalty area saw Kane side-foot a cross towards the far post and Helik headed down, back across goal and under the dive of Tranmere goalkeeper Scott Davies.
Then, as Tranmere pressed for an equaliser, Woodrow broke, was brought down in the area and stepped up to score his 11th goal of the season to confirm victory.
Barnsley manager Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"It was a tough game, I'm happy that we're through and it was a great afternoon for us.
"We changed in the second half and tried to become more clinical and I think we controlled the half.
"It was time for Brad to play in goal to show his quality and he made a brilliant save."
Tranmere manager Keith Hill told BBC Radio Merseyside:
"I thought the players showed magnificent bravery against a Barnsley side who went strong.
"We went with a depleted squad because of Covid-19 but our mindset was always to play the game and I thought the players responded superbly well.
"The effort was outstanding and it leaves me with a positive sense for the remaining league games."
Line-ups
Barnsley
Formation 3-4-3
- 40Collins
- 26SollbauerSubstituted forSibbickat 63'minutes
- 30Helik
- 6Andersen
- 7BrittainSubstituted forWilliamsat 79'minutes
- 8Kane
- 27MowattSubstituted forPalmerat 72'minutes
- 4Styles
- 28FrieserSubstituted forThomasat 45'minutes
- 9Woodrow
- 11ChaplinSubstituted forAdeboyejoat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Walton
- 2Williams
- 16Thomas
- 19Schmidt
- 20Sibbick
- 21Palmer
- 22Oduor
- 29Adeboyejo
- 34Moon
Tranmere
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Davies
- 2O'Connor
- 21Ray
- 6Monthe
- 3RidehalghSubstituted forBurtonat 76'minutes
- 14Woolery
- 22Lewis
- 8Spearing
- 17KhanSubstituted forMorrisat 81'minutes
- 10FerrierSubstituted forBlackett-Taylorat 67'minutes
- 9Vaughan
Substitutes
- 5Ellis
- 7Morris
- 11Blackett-Taylor
- 13Murphy
- 24Hayde
- 25Nugent
- 27Burton
- 28Banks
- Referee:
- Oliver Langford
Match Stats
Home TeamBarnsleyAway TeamTranmere
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away2
- Corners
- Home6
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Barnsley 2, Tranmere Rovers 0.
Post update
Goal! Barnsley 2, Tranmere Rovers 0. Cauley Woodrow (Barnsley) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Penalty Barnsley. Luke Thomas draws a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Jay Spearing (Tranmere Rovers) after a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Attempt saved. Cauley Woodrow (Barnsley) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Victor Adeboyejo.
Post update
Jordan Williams (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by James Vaughan (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Corner, Tranmere Rovers. Conceded by Toby Peter Sibbick.
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Cauley Woodrow (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Emmanuel Monthe (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Foul by Victor Adeboyejo (Barnsley).
Post update
Kieron Morris (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Cauley Woodrow (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by George Ray (Tranmere Rovers).
Post update
Corner, Barnsley. Conceded by Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Post update
Offside, Tranmere Rovers. Jay Spearing tries a through ball, but Jake Burton is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Kieron Morris replaces Otis Khan.
Post update
Attempt missed. Callum Styles (Barnsley) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left misses to the right. Assisted by Toby Peter Sibbick following a set piece situation.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Romal Palmer (Barnsley) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
