Head coach of BARNSLEY, Neill Collins, stated that he was in no way bothered by the penalty that set up Portsmouth’s dramatic late-game charge for promotion at a boisterous Fratton Park. The Reds were denied the opportunity to secure their spot in the play-offs after the drama on the south coast.
With a 2-1 lead, Collins’ team was in a good position to keep Pompey waiting as they attempted to complete their own comeback to the Championship following a 12-year break.
After the fifth-place Reds took the lead on six minutes thanks to Devante Cole’s 18th goal of the season, their first since February 3, Kusini Yengi quickly equalised.
Just before the hour mark, John McAtee gave Barnsley their lead back with a composed finish. However, he was sent out on minute 83 for a foul on Christian Saydee, the substitute.
In a thrilling finish, former Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy headed home from a set-piece to give Pompey not only promotion but also the title with a 3-2 victory. Colby Bishop scored from the penalty spot to level the score for the hosts a second time.
After Lincoln City, who are just outside of the play-off spots, defeated Oxford United to close the gap between them and the sixth-place U’s to two points, Barnsley, who have only won twice in their last ten games, will need to put in more work to secure a top-six finish.
The Imps trail the fifth-place Reds by four points with two games remaining.
Blackpool, in ninth place, will also have a remote chance of making the playoffs; they will host Barnsley on Saturday. Before the match at Bloomfield Road, they are five points behind Collins’ team.
Collins remarked, “Listen, it looks like it was a penalty,” in response to the game-winning penalty call. I’ve seen it once more, and you make a tackle like that in the box, giving the referee the option to call something.
“Macca was excellent. He had a chance to score a goal and ended up with one or two. (However) These are the “moments,” and I believe this was our seventh penalty of the year.
“Those are parts of the reasons Portsmouth are celebrating being in the Championship. But in terms of team play, we more than matched them.
“We don’t win games because of the way we gave up the last two goals.”
That is the height of frustration. We were aware that the atmosphere would be challenging, but I thought the guys gave excellent performances.
“But, it’s really not fair that we find ourselves standing here following a 3-2 loss. Two instances during the second half…
A few close calls occurred, but nothing like being under siege. I’m so unhappy because I felt we were great, yet we nevertheless managed to lose 3-2. The show was really well done.
Collins continued, saying, “He (Cole) has been in those positions and (now) got the finishing touch,” while playing without midfielders Luca Connell and Jon Russell. I was happy for him.
“I felt that he and John McAtee’s combined all-around performance gave Portsmouth such a great night; they were exceptional, and we were glad they were visiting. I was rather happy that they both got points.
