Debutant Kevin Long scored an 89th-minute winner as Barnsley won 2-1 at Lee Johnson's former club Oldham Athletic on Saturday to avoid a club record-equalling ninth straight league defeat.

Conor Hourihane's long-range strike put the Reds ahead then Mark Yeates levelled in the 78th minute only for Long to smash in the late goal.

Barnsley had been the better team, creating more chances than the struggling home side. The victory was their first in League One since September and, although they are still in the relegation zone, they moved up two places to 21st. 

Head coach Johnson made two changes to the side that lost at home to Port Vale a week previously. New signings Aidy White and Kevin Long came into the defence with Lewin Nyatanga and George Smith dropping out.

Barnsley were well on top in the first half. Adam Hammill hit the outside of the right post with a low shot from just inside the box, then his free-kick was headed over by Ivan Toney within the six yard box before Marley Watkins had a shot cleared off the line.

Hammill set up the opener in the 30th minute as he turned Timothee Dieng brilliantly on the touchline then passed to James Bree who helped it on to Hourihane and the Irishman hit the top left corner from 25 yards out.

Toney headed a Hammill cross wide and the Reds went in 1-0 up at the break.

In the second half, Oldham's Cameron Dummigan was put clean through but Barnsley goalkeeper Adam Davies made a good save.Toney then hit the cross bar with a powerful header from another Hammill cross. Toney also fired just wide from the edge the box and Oldham levelled within a minute as Yeates exchanged passes with Dominic Poleon then powered in a shot through Davies.

Long restored the lead late on when he smashed in after home goalkeeper Joel Coleman had saved from substitute Simeon Jackson following a Hourihane free-kick.