THE FULL REPORT: Winnall takes it all

Swindon and Barnsley went into the game having scored 19 between them in their last three games, with Town conceding eight in their last three at the County Ground – so the expectation was that an array of goals would soon illuminate the stadium to the awe of the spectators.

However, rather than the extravaganza that greets those who have braved the cold and rain on the north bank of the Thames when Big Ben strikes midnight, this was little more than a sparkler on a cold afternoon.

The game, deficient of any real quality, failed to go off with a bang on a day where fans could have done with something to cheer to prevent themselves freezing to their plastic seats.

With Town looking set to secure their first home clean sheet in 19 outings at the County Ground, Sam Winnall was on hand to spark the visiting supporters into life as he was in the right place with less than three minutes left on the clock to give Barnsley all three points.

Luke Williams made a change to the formation, moving to three at the back to accommodate returning skipper Nathan Thompson, with Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill and Bradley Barry taking on wing-back duties.

Anton Rodgers, whose father Brendan was again in the crowd, was the man to be sacrificed as he dropped to the bench, alongside Jermaine Hylton, who was back in the squad after recovering from bruised shin.

Drissa Traore was absent from the matchday squad for what was later revealed to be a personal issue that he was granted time off for.

The opening exchanges between the two sides were very cagey, not the end-to-end feast that had whet the appetites of punters previously.

With neither side able to get their foot on the ball and take command of the contest, very little football was able to break out.

It was a mistake that presented Swindon with their first chance as George Williams’ poor touch was pounced on by Jonathan Obika but Nicky Ajose was unable to get a shot away when found in the box.

Nicky Ajose is denied by Tykes keeper Adam Davies

The first clear-cut chance of the game for the Tykes came in the 15th minute when a Town corner was cleared by Conor Hourihane and Lloyd Isgrove broke with pace before Marley Watkins was denied well by the legs of Lawrence Vigouroux.

Midfielder Michael Doughty, who had signed an extension to his loan stay until the end of the season the same morning, was the bright spark for the hosts in the early moments as he flexed his range of passing and it was the Queens Park Rangers man who had a shout for a penalty waved away in the 21st minute by referee Tim Robinson when he drove into the box and took a tumble.

Ajose had the best opportunity to jump-start the game, with proceedings crying out for a goal to get any kind of reaction from the players, as he was played through by Fabien Robert in the 25th minute, but he was denied by the leg of Adam Davies as he tried to round the Barnsley stopper before Robert saw his first-time lob find the roof of the net as he tried to catch Davies off his line.

Alfie Mawson, a summer target for Swindon, then attempted to show Town fans what they had missed out on as he made a rare foray up field and his shot from the edge of the box just cleared Vigouroux’s goal and strike the stanchion behind.

Doughty faded from his early promise as a loose touch saw him start to struggle with Swindon’s passing style and he paid the price as he found himself in the referee’s book for a foul on Isgrove on the edge of the box – the resulting free-kick from Josh Brownhill comfortably clearing the bar.

Michael Doughty is beaten in the air during his first game at the County Ground

Barnsley turned up the pressure in the closing minutes of the half and Jordan Turnbull had to be alert as he turned behind an Ash Fletcher cross, with Winnall in waiting behind him to turn home.

Hourihane was gifted a chance on the stroke of half-time to give Barnsley the lead, which few in the ground could have argued with, but he saw his effort in the box fired straight at Vigouroux’s legs.

As Robinson started the second half Swindon were a man light as Barry had failed to make it out of the changing room after suffering a dizzy spell in the tunnel.

The game continued with James Brophy frantically stripping out of his tracksuit as he was brought in to carry out a job on the opposite side to what he is used to plying his trade.

Barnsley started the second half in the same vein as they ended the first and it was Hourihane again who the ball fell to in the Town box but Vigouroux was on hand to deny him before Winnall headed wide.

Mistakes at the back have plagued Swindon this campaign and Jordan Turnbull had defensive partner Raphael Branco to thank after giving the ball away in the 50th minute and Watkins saw his effort blocked by the Brazilian in the box.

In the 54th minute, Obika, who had been kept largely quiet in the first half, controlled the ball beautifully with his knee on the edge of the box before turning and firing a good effort at the Barnsley goal, with Davies at full stretch to turn the ball behind.

Jonathan Obika goes for goal

Thompson was showing no ill-effects of the groin injury that had kept him out since September just after the hour-mark when Winnall was played in over the top by Watkins, Town’s skipper doing well to get back and block the shot.

In the 68th minute Lee Johnson rolled the dice and swapped Fletcher for Josh Scowen and it nearly had the desired effect as the 22-year-old was found at the back post from a Williams cross but the midfielder could not get his head over the ball and saw his effort go over the bar.

With 13 minutes to go, Town boss Williams introduced Michael Smith for his first appearance since coming on as a substitute for Barnsley at the beginning of the month and subsequently returning to Wiltshire, along with Jeremy Balmy.

However, it was Barnsley who stole the contest at the death when Scowen put in an out-swinging ball from the right that was sliced by Turnbull and out of the path of Thompson, with Winnall on hand to fire past a hapless Vigouroux.

Sam Winnall (not pictured) nets Barnsley's winner

The goal was the striker’s ninth goal in six league games as he secured the Tykes’ sixth straight win in the league and fourth straight win on the road, beating a record dating back 20 years.

Doughty had a chance right at the death but saw his effort from close range blocked by Balmy, the substitute’s only contribution apart from going into the referee’s book for a scuffle with Isgrove on the halfway line, as Williams tasted defeat for the first time during his four games in charge.

This was not the performance that would light up the night sky as Town fans headed home hoping that Swindon can rekindle their spark against Port Vale tomorrow night.