Darrell Clarke praised his Barnsley side’s character after a 1-0 win at Rotherham United on Saturday.

Adam Phillips’ second half penalty secured the three points and ended a six-game winless run.

Head coach Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s a performance we haven’t had enough of this season. We had to roll our sleeves up and defend better. I love clean sheets. I’ve called the team soft and flaky and crumbling but today we were none of that.

“We were really strong defensively as a unit. The back three were magnificent and it’s a pleasing three points.”

Barnsley could have had two more penalties, for a foul on Phillips early on then a handball by Zak Jules, while Rotherham wanted one just before half-time for a foul by Corey O’Keeffe.

Clarke said: “The first one looks obvious. He seems to catch Phillo’s leg. I don’t know why that’s not given. There is a handball second half, sometimes you don’t get those decisions and it’s how you react. Today we reacted well.

“I can’t control the referee. They could have had a penalty, we could have had three. I don't really know. I need to look back at them.”

Phillips scored the penalty that was given. Clarke said: “Great week for him. Him and his missus have had a baby. He’s only trained Thursday and Friday. People don’t see that. His performance was brilliant, he put his penalty away and he’s the sort of player you want in those moments.”

The Reds were clapped off by the away end after ending a run of one point in six games.

Clarke said: “The only way you get rid of grey clouds at football clubs is by winning. We haven’t done that in the last six games and we haven’t been at the standards that we expect and the supporters expect so you are always going to cop it. But each game they back us in numbers and give us a chance to perform.

“It’s up to us to perform. Thank you for their support and we’ll try to get another win Tuesday night.”

Barnsley were seven points off the top six ahead of the 3pm kick-offs.

Clarke said: “We just have to win the next game. It’s the start of five games in 15 days. We’re playing massive catch-up because of a inconsistency amongst other things. It’s a stepping stone.”

Goalkeeper Joe Gauci came off with a hip injury while Donovan Pines is set to miss ‘a few weeks’ with a hamstring problem.

Defender Marc Roberts added: “Big win. No matter what it looked like we just needed to win. It was a good professional game from the squad. It was basic game, nothing fancy, but we showed resilience and got the job done.

“It’s a feeling of relief because we know it’s not been fantastic. We feel the frustration from the stands so we wanted to put a marker on the table after a tough run and give bragging rights to the fans.”