Tykes get giddy-up
BARNSLEY boss Valerien Ismael has warned his side about getting complacent ahead of the play-offs.
The Tykes secured their shot at Premier League football for the first time since 1998 by beating Yorkshire rivals Rotherham last time out.
But they took their foot off the gas here as mid-table Preston made it three wins on the spin thanks to goals from Jordan Story and Ched Evans.
“We didn’t put in the performance we wanted and it’s a big disappointment,” said Ismael (above). “It’s a typical case that when we reach our goal last week the pressure came down – and we need to raise that again.
“It’s a warning for everyone that we need to refocus and come back to our strength and intensity.
“The goals show it was a concentration problem – the guys switched off which is a normal human being process.”
Tykes striker Conor Chaplin squandered an early chance from Cauley Woodrow’s cut-back.
But Storey pounced on a goal-mouth scramble to poke the hosts ahead in the 38th minute.
And he turned provider as he flicked Tom Barkhuizen’s throw into the path of Welsh striker Evans to make it 2-0.
Hosts’ stopper Dan Iversen produced a super stop to keep out substitute Jasper Moon with his feet late on.
Preston got a fourth straight clean sheet for the first time in six years.
Caretaker boss Frankie McAvoy praised his battle-hardened charges. He said: “I want to give immense credit to all the players and Daniel Iversen came up with a great save.”
PRESTON: Iversen; 7 Storey 8, Lindsay 7, Hughes 7; Van den Berg 8, Whiteman 7 (Potts 82), Ledson 7, Browne 6, Cunningham 7, Barkhuizen 8 (Riis 69, 6), Evans 8, (Bayliss 90). Unused subs: Hudson, Huntington, Molumby, Gordon, Sinclair, Maguire. BARNSLEY: Collins 6, Sollbauer 6 (Sibbick 45, 5), Helik 6, Andersen 6, Brittain 6, Mowatt 7, Palmer 6 (Moon 45, 6), Styles 6 (Williams 83), Chaplin 6 (Morris 45, 5), Woodrow 6 (Adeboyejo 64, 6) Dike 7. Unused subs: Walton, Halme, Odour, Thompson
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jordan Storey. Scored decisive opener before turning provider for Evans to wrap up the game. REFEREE: Matt Donohue 7.