We’re not safe yet!

A second consecutive home defeat leaves Barnsley still needing a win to be certain of avoiding the drop into Division three. In all fairness, yesterday's performance was certainly an improvement on the Reds' previous home match against Peterborough but Barnsley were no match for an excellent Crewe side.

The Reds started brightly and created a number of chances in the opening period. The best opportunity fell to Betsy who, having picked up Austin’s long ball and beaten the last Crewe defender, fired wide from the edge of the box.

Barnsley eventually took the lead after 32 minutes, when Sheron's deft chip struck the crossbar and Crewe ‘keeper Clayton Ince palmed the loose ball into his own net. Although there was a touch of luck about the goal, it was just reward for Juan Sebastian’s industrious display.

Crewe were level just a minute later, however: Sorvel was given time and space to lash home a sweet strike from around twenty two yards.

This season’s games at Oakwell have been characterised by appalling second half Barnsley performances. Perhaps it was this that encouraged Hodges to send his players out for the second half a full ten minutes early. The tactic almost paid off immediately: following an extraordinary run that saw him beat four players, Sheron watched in agony as his shot trickled past the four post, with Ince well beaten. Barnsley would not come so close again.

Crewe began to impose themselves on the game, and the impressive Hulse and Ashton were a constant menace. The winning goal came after 62 minutes. There seemed no danger when Lumsdon lost the ball on the halfway line, but Crewe put together an excellent passing move which culminated in Hulse tapping home Steve Foster’s cross.

The visitors continued to threaten and would have finished Barnsley off in the 80th minute but for two superb stops from Ghent: having tipped Jones’ lob onto the crossbar, he quickly recovered to tip away Rix’s goal bound header. Barnsley pushed forward in the last few minutes and forced a number of corners, but never really looked like claiming an equaliser.

The Reds can take some positives out of the match: they were defensively sound for much of the game (the second goal aside) and Matthew Ghent turned in another excellent display. In addition, Mike Sheron worked extremely hard and deserved his man of the match award.

On the other hand, Betsy's lack of end product is becoming increasingly frustrating and our chronic lack of pace and creativity in midfield means that we will always struggle against the Division's better teams.

Barnsley have played a lot worse this season and won. In that sense, they can count themselves unlucky. In truth, however, Crewe were simply too good for them. This is the same Crewe side that were relegated with Barnsley at the end of last season, but now look like heading straight back to Division One.

Glyn Hodges should take a close look at the success that Crewe have had this season and how this has been achieved: Dario Gradi's team play good, attractive football, and have a side largely made up of youngsters from the club's Academy. If Barnsley are to progess next season, then this is the template that Hodges should follow.