Analysis from Barnsley's 2-1 win at Blackpool on Saturday. Marc Roberts scored an injury-time winner after Davis Keillor-Dunn's opener was cancelled out.

A DAY THAT PUTS POOR RUN INTO PERSPECTIVE

Barnsley’s poor run before this game was put into perspective by the tragic circumstances surrounding the match, then ended by a much-improved performance.

Blackpool manager Steve Bruce was not at the game due to the tragic death of his four-year-old grandson Madison. His assistant Steve Agnew, the former Barnsley player, was in charge instead.

There was a minute’s applause in the fourth minute, with play stopping so both teams could join in.

Once the game fully got underway, the Reds were much better than the dire performances before the two-week break without a league game during which they worked hard on the training pitch.

A quarter of the way through the season, the Reds are eighth - only outside the top six goal difference.

This result meant they had the second best away record in the division with four wins from six. The crucial next step is to seriously improve their home form - starting against Charlton on Tuesday.

Barnsley’s last win over the Seasiders was in April 2019 – a 2-1 home success which proved to be enough to secure their last promotion from League One. They still look a way off a promotion side but this was a big step forward.

REDS GO BACK TO THEIR STRENGTHS

Barnsley seemed to go back to basics for this game. Darrell Clarke returned to the 3-5-2 formation which has served the Reds well in recent years and stuck to it, avoiding the regular system changes throughout previous matches.

He played players in the roles they have impressed in previously - Luca Connell in holding midfield, Adam Phillips on the right of a midfield three. Right-footed wing-back Corey O’Keeffe was back on the right, while left-footed Georgie Gent played on the left.

Barry Cotter and Matty Craig were dropped to the bench after starting the majority of games this season, but underperforming recently.

The Reds looked much more balanced, organised and were far more dangerous in attack than in the dreadful displays prior to the international break. They at least looked an organised unit with a clear plan.

The Reds were still loose in possession, sending some simple passes out of play and gifting Blackpool the ball in good positions.

Blackpool dominated towards the end of the first half, then also for much of the second - as Barnsley again endured long spells when they could not keep the ball or get up the pitch. They need to reduce those periods to pick up more points.

Blackpool levelled when Oliver Casey, despite being marked by Mael de Gevigney, turned in a Lee Evans free-kick, then they had the Reds ‘on the ropes’ for ten more minutes as Clarke admitted.

But the game flipped on 80 minutes and Barnsley suddenly started to get on the ball regularly and create chances. The winner did not come out of the blue, it was after some sustained pressure.

The Reds showed a lot of character to turn the game around and, although there is still lots to work on, were far better than in the several games prior to this.

After conceding in the final 15 minutes of a club record seven games, this time it was Barnsley who got the late goal - which also meant they had scored twice from two shots on target.

ROBERTS WINS IT AFTER STARTING TO COME OFF

Marc Roberts had thought his afternoon was over seconds before scoring a vital injury-time winner.

He saw fellow centre-back Donovan Pines about to come on and his number four on the fourth official’s board so assumed he was coming off. But the number was simply indicating the amount of added minutes at the end of the game, so Roberts turned around went back into the fray.

Seconds later, Connell’s right-wing corner hit Roberts' shoulder and the ball looped into the back of Blackpool’s net to spark jubilant scenes on the pitch, dugout and away end.

Roberts, who also got the winner at Lincoln in August, moved onto three goals this season - the joint most from open play with Adam Phillips who has netted two penalties. He won eight aerial duels in this game and is dominant in both boxes.

Barnsley’s last two away wins have been thanks to goals in the 90th minute or later after Stephen Humphrys’ heroics at Burton.

DKD CAPS FINE FIRST HALF WITH GOAL

Davis Keillor-Dunn looked a different player than in previous games - the most eye-catching and lively element of a generally much more aligned and fluent Reds attack.

He was a constant menace for the home defence early on, running into space in the channels especially on the left and linking up well with others.

He scored when, after good passes by Connell then Josh Earl then Jon Russell, he got the ball on the right wing and cut past a defender before finding the bottom right corner from just inside the box.

Keillor-Dunn formed a strikeforce with Stephen Humphrys - who had a much quieter game - of two players who have played a lot in midfield in their careers but are now being used up front. The deadline day signings both have two goals for the season after this game, and seem to have taken over as the premier front men from injured duo Max Watters and Sam Cosgrove.

OTHERS STEP UP WITH GOOD PERFORMANCES

There were some other good performances.

Gaga Slonina made a big save at 0-0 on ten minutes, denying Dom Ballard one-on-one after Barnsley were carved open by a Blackpool passing move. He also denied ex-Red Jordan Rhodes twice at 0-0 as the American goalkeeper is stringing a run of good performances together.

Russell made his first league start under Clarke, and his first in more than six months, having struggled to get on the bench for much of this season. But he impressed in training recently and also in this game, assisting the opener and generally passing well throughout while playing in an attacking midfield role.

Georgie Gent won five tackles and made three interceptions - the most of either - and, although he can still get beaten too easily by skilful wingers, is starting to grow into the main left wing-back role.

Vimal Yoganathan came on for the injured Phillips to make a second league appearance, in much more difficult circumstances than his first in a 3-0 win at Crawley. He was an attacking threat and won the corner which led to the winner.

Connell was less convincing, losing the ball several times in key areas, but he did get his third assist of the season for the winner.