Goals from Bobby Thomas and Nicky Cadden gave Barnsley a 2-1 win at the Kassam Stadium this evening as Oxford United were beaten for the third game in a row despite an Elliott Moore header and a spirited finale from the U's.

United's confidence looked brittle until Moore's goal gave them hope and spurred them on in search of an equaliser. Sadly, time ran out and their late flurry became just too little, too late.

They started the game well enough, new signing Ateef Konate playing just behind a front three of Kyle Joseph, Billy Bodin and Yanic Wildschut, and Bodin firing just wide with the first of several chances in a very open first few minutes.

Barnsley had chances as well though, Sam Long getting an important header to clear one and James Norwood unable to take another before United’s plans were disrupted when the hugely influential Cameron Brannagan was forced off after just 24 minutes, clutching his side and in clear discomfort.

There was wider discomfort five minutes later when the Tykes took the lead. It wasn’t a classic goal, it was a simple ball pumped into the box that heads went up to meet. To my eyes it was Moore’s head it skimmed off, but Barnsley’s Thomas ran away celebrating so let’s give it to him.

There was almost an instant response when Joseph cut inside from the right and fired across the face of goal, but the visitors had enjoyed the better of the first 45 minutes and United needed to step things up.

The fans did their best to lift them but before the hour it was 2-0 when Devante Cole crossed at the second invitation, Herbie Kane took a touch and rolled the ball to his left and Cadden powered the ball across the helpless Eastwood to double the lead.

Tylers Smith and Goodrham were given half an hour to try and retrieve the situation, but Smith fluffed his lines for a debut goal and lobbed a chance gently into the waiting arms of keeper Brad Collins rather than over him and into the gaping net beyond.

Goodrham then drove the U's forward and when they won a corner Moore got up to nod home and it was suddenly Game On.

Smith, full of running, almost atoned for the earlier miss with a powerful effort that flew wide, Lewis Bate blasted a free kick into the wall, and another Moore header was flicked onto the bar as United threw men forward.

Barnsley defended well as they came increasingly under pressure, although the danger of a breakaway third goal was always present. Somehow, frustratingly, a clear last chance just never came along and the Tykes slowed things down, saw their own job through and took all three points back north with them.

United need to regroup. Another home game on Saturday against Shrewsbury. Time to show their true colours.

Att: 7,381
Away: 482

Fifty/50 winning number 66876 wins: £692

Report by Chris Williams, pictures Darrell Fisher, Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds