BARNSLEY 3 LEEDS UNITED 2

BARNSLEY: Colgan, Heckingbottom, Reid, Togwell, McIndoe, Howard (Wroe 80), Austin, Kay, Richards (Nardiello 56), Devaney, Wright (Hayes,90). Subs: Healy, Williams. 

UNITED: Stack, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Lewis, Douglas (Einarsson 87), Derry, Westlake (Johnson 80), Blake, Horsfield (Cresswell 62), Healy. Subs: Warner, Foxe.

Referee: Mr P Crossley

United boss Dennis Wise made three changes from the side which crashed 4-1 at Preston in midweek as he looked to lift his players away from the drop zone at the expense of a Barnsley side who also occupy a place in the bottom-four.

Jonathan Douglas returned to the side in place of the injured Ian Moore, Robbie Blake came in for loan man Adam Johnson, and Geoff Horsfield was preferred to Richard Cresswell in the front-line.

Wise also made a tactical change from his first two games with Blake, making his first start under the new boss, playing just behind the front two of Horsfield and David Healy

The opening ten minutes started in typical Yorkshire derby fashion, fast paced and frantic and it was United that came the closest when Robbie Blake got himself on the end of a David Healy low cross to the far post but his effort just went wide.

The match continued in much the same vein with chances few and far between, however it was Leeds who again came close when Eddie Lewis's high cross was met by Paul Butler's knock-down but Horsfield's header went wide. 

However it was the home side who took the lead when a high cross into the United box was punched out by Graham Stack but the ball fell to Matin Devaney who fired into the back of the empty net.

United, though, continued to battle and create chances and Jonathan Douglas almost got the equaliser when he managed to beat his man and get onto a Gary Kelly cross but the ball sailed just over.

Leeds got themselves back on level terms in the 43rd minute when Shaun Derry ghosted into a position at the far post to head home his first of the season.

Barnsley's response was immediate and the home side should have restored their lead within 60 seconds. Marc Richards somehow volleyed his shot over from just  two yards out.

But it was United who turned the tables in first half stoppage time when Robbie Blake lashed home an Eddie Lewis cross to make it 2-1.

The Tykes were on level terms midway through the second half when the ball fell for Michael McIndoe 22 yards out when his sweetly struck shot found the far corner to make it 2-2.

The game continued at a frantic pace with gaps appearing at the back for both sides. Sam Togwell's flick flew just wide for the home side and David Healy's effort fizzed just over the bar.

The game was turned on its head for the second time when Brian Howard capitalised on some sloppy defending to waltz past two United defenders before curling his shot beyond the reach of Graham Stack.

With just six minutes to go Nardiello almsot secured the points for the home side when his 20 yard volley struck an upright that had left Stack stranded.

Leeds continued to press for the equaliser and in stoppage time Adam Johnson nearly stole a point for United when his lob floated over the out of position Nick Colgan, but also over the bar.

But in the end it was the Barnsley fans who went home with the bragging rights after this high octane Yorkshire derby.

MIKE SOMERS