Barnsley throw themselves a relegation lifeline with win over Bristol City

Goals from Carlton Morris and Michal Helik moved resurgent Barnsley to within two points of a position of safety following a 2-0 home win over Bristol City.

The Tykes have now won four of their last eight league games to throw themselves a relegation lifeline, having only tasted victory twice during their first 29 fixtures.

Robins boss and former centre-back Nigel Pearson, meanwhile, will be furious at the nature of his side’s defeat, with both first-half goals conceded from Amine Bassi corners.

Barnsley forged ahead in the 10th minute after a Bassi shot had been deflected wide of visiting goalkeeper Daniel Bentley’s near post by Robbie Cundy.

Bassi then swung in the resulting corner from the left and, after Matty Wolfe headed the ball back into the six-yard box at the far post, Morris reacted smartly to turn in from close range for his eighth goal of the season.

The Robins briefly rallied but Timm Klose headed well wide from a corner by Matty James, who then fired off target himself from 20 yards.

Barnsley subsequently doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when another Bassi dead-ball delivery from the left picked out an unchallenged Helik who grabbed his first goal of the campaign by guiding his header inside the far post from eight yards.

The goal again sparked a temporary riposte from Pearson’s men, as Antoine Semenyo headed wide and went on to flash a low ball across the face of goal to the far post where Andreas Weimann could not direct his shot on target in front of a gaping net.

Morris, though, continued to threaten and had Rob Atkinson in knots on the right byline before creating a chance that saw Claudio Gomes go close with a deflected attempt and a Callum Styles edge-of-the-box effort was also diverted