The Reds continued their incredible run under David Flitcroft yesterday with a battling, determined 3-2 win at the Riverside Stadium against high flying Middlesbrough.
Flicker went with an unchanged side from the previous two wins over Millwall and Blackpool, with new boys Jason Scotland and Chris O'Grady alongside Jacob Mellis on the bench.
After a couple of silky Boro moves, the Reds took the lead with their first attempt of the game. Tom Kennedy received the ball on the halfway line and drifted a delightful ball over to Jim O'Brien, whose deflected shot looped over Jason Steele and in, cue massive celebrations in the away end and O'Brien's customary 'wiggle' celebration.
To be honest, it was a rather scrappy first half, with neither side really keeping possession very well. Keiron Dyer was making his Boro home debut and looked very impressive on the ball, he would have had a brilliant career if he wasn't made from glass.
A Barnsley summer target was playing hell down the Boro left, Mustapha Carayol looking like the only guy who would make anything happen for the home side, with several jinking runs and darts into the box.
The disappointing Marlon Harewood tested Steele with a rasping 25 yard volley not long before the break but the England U21 keeper beat the ball away for a corner.
Boro were to have one more close shave before the break, with defender Andre Bikey rampaging through the Reds midfield and unchallenged, hit a low drive which Luke Steele did well to save.
The home side brought on Curtis Main for the anonymous Lukas Jutkiewicz at half time and within minutes of the restart, Boro were level.
Emmanuel Ledesma drilled a great ball through the Barnsley defence, and Foster, under pressure from Carayol tried to nudge the ball out for a corner but played it straight at Steele, who could only palm into the path of Carayol who slotted home.
And within ten minutes Middlesbrough were in front. Seb Hines galloped through the Barnsley midfield, supplied a pass for captain Rhys Williams, who put over a cross which deflected off Foster and after Steele could only parry straight onto the head of substitute Main.
Now, after this second Boro goal, Flitcroft made the game-changing substitutions, replacing Harewood with Chris O'Grady and Jim O'Brien with the current hero Jason Scotland.
These two subs completely galvanised Barnsley, with O'Grady offering more in his first five minutes on the pitch than Harewood did all game. He held the ball up absolutely superbly and brought Golbourne into the game more as the Reds pressed for an equaliser.
Dagnall wriggled down the left hand side and provided a cross which Rory Delap did really well to get his head on it, heading over the bar. But it wasn't long before we were all celebrating again.
Delap launched one of his customary long throws into the Middlesbrough box and Jason Steele could only punch the ball out to Kelvin Etuhu who knocked the ball back towards goal and somehow through to Scott Golbourne, who prodded into the top of the goal.
A bizarre game took another twist in the 76th minute. Seb Hines knocked a routine backpass to Jason Steele, who took a touch. O'Grady closed down the Boro stopper and he slipped over, and then incredibly put his hand on the ball, indirect free-kick to the Reds.
Golbourne and Scotland stood over the kick, just to the left corner of the six yard box. After a couple of feints Golbourne laid the ball off and Scotland rifled in via the underside of the bar to send the away end into jubilant celebrations.
Scotland has now made three substitute appearances for the Reds, and scored in each game. Including the winning goal in the last two games.
Cult hero Bobby Hassell came on with ten minutes to play, replacing the hard-working Dagnall, who didn't get the goal his performance deserved.
Boro midfielder Grant Leadbitter provided the biggest scare of the last ten minutes, hitting a 25 yard bullet which Luke Steele beat away and away from goal.
So another fantastic win, and the lads just don't know what it's like to get beaten at the moment. To a man, every player worked their socks off and fought for their lives. There is now a real possibility we can stay up after looking doomed not long back.
The next three league games are all against sides around us, we face Wolves at home, Bristol City away and then Bolton at home after the FA Cup Fifth Round tie at MK Dons next weekend.
Player Ratings
Luke Steele: Made two good saves, from Bikey and Leadbitter. But could probably have done better with the goals. 6
Martin Cranie: Was a rock at the back. He looked good and made some crucial interceptions. 7
Stephen Foster: Rolled back the years with this display. Strong and powerful but should have probably done better for Boro's first goal. 7
Tom Kennedy: Been given a new lease of life under Flitcroft and didn't disappoint in this game. Can certainly pick a pass and was strong in the tackle. Assist for O'Briens goal too. 8
Rory Delap: Used his experience well against Carayol and stifled him in the latter part of the game. Long throw led to equaliser too. 7
Scott Golbourne: Brilliant display from Scott. Got forward so well, and looked solid defensively too. Bagged the Reds' equaliser too. 9
David Perkins: I've never seen a player like him before. He just seems to have ages on the ball, it's weird. He manned the Reds midfield well. 7
Kelvin Etuhu: A bit anonymous really. Needs to be stronger on the ball. Would rather see Mellis in there to be honest. 6
Chris Dagnall: Such a hard working display. Worked his socks off and fought for the cause. Made some great runs down the left, particularly in the first half. 7
Marlon Harewood: Disappointed by him yesterday. He was knocked off the ball far too easily for such a big lad. However, he did hit one absolutely rasping shot which was saved. 6
Subs:
Chris O'Grady (for Harewood, 63): Was the game changer. Held the ball up brilliantly and brought Golbourne into the game. Stronger on the ball than Harewood, and his pressure on the keeper won the game for us. 8
Jason Scotland (for O'Brien, 63): Worked extremely well with O'Grady, was strong in possession and scored that vital winning goal from the indirect free-kick. 7
Bobby Hassell (for Dagnall, 79): King Bobby came on for a cameo role, and got stuck in as the Reds tried to protect their 3-2 lead. 6
Man of the Match: Scott Golbourne.
Boro Man of the Match: Mustapha Carayol. Was the only player that looked like he would make something happen for Boro. Gave Delap a hard time in the first half and scored the goal his performance deserved.