Barnsley recovered from a terrible start to thrash last season's play-off finalists Swindon Town 4-1 at Oakwell on Saturday.
Lewin Nyatanga scored a comical own goal midway through the first half but Marley Watkins' first League One strike levelled one minute later. Reece Wabara's 30-yard stunner put the Reds 2-1 up on the stroke of half-time then Nyatanga made amends with the third before Conor Hourihane completed the rout.
Barnsley head coach Lee Johnson did not field a recognised striker as top-scorer Sam Winnall was dropped to the bench and was replaced by midfielder Ryan Williams who returned from injury and made his debut as a permanent Barnsley player following last season's loan.Watkins was used on his own up front after playing most of his career as a winger. Kadeem Harris replaced the injured Dan Crowley on the right of a midfield five while left-back George Smith came in for Marc Roberts which meant Nyatanga could go back to his normal position in the centre of defence. Goalkeeper Adam Davies was dropped and replaced by Nick Townsend who made his Football League and Oakwell debut.
Townsend had already raced off his line on several occasions before he was lobbed on the edge of the box by his own defender Nyatanga with a looping header which rolled in for an own goal after 20 minutes. Johnson later said it was a goalkeeping error.
But the Reds levelled within two minutes when Watkins was played clean through by Harris and kept his cool to beat the goalkeeper for 1-1.
Williams was substituted after 28 minutes and replaced by Winnall who became the loan striker with Watkins moving onto the wing.
Swindon seemed the more likely to lead at the break but it was Barnsley who went in 2-1 up after a fantastic long-range strike from right-back Wabara. He received a pass from Conor Hourihane after a slick move and smashed it into the right side of the net.
Hourihane got a more telling assist for the third goal on 59 minutes. After his free-kick was headed back to him, he showed great strength to win a header before crossing for Nyatanga to head into the bottom left corner for 3-1.
Winnall then looked to be brought down in the box by the visiting goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux after a fine counter-attack involving Josh Scowen and Harris but the referee did not award a penalty to the anger of the home bench.
Hourihane eventually made it 4-1 after 76 minutes when he tapped in the rebound after Scowen exploited poor defending of a long ball to go through and hit the bar.
Winnall deflected a Scowen shot just wide then, at the other end, Nicky Ajose chipped over when he should have scored after a defensive mistake by Wabara. Winnall's powerful volley drew another good save before Nyatanga headed wide and Townsend denied Thomas.
Barnsley now have ten points from seven games in League One this season.
