Conor Hourihane hails two-goal Tom Bradshaw as Barnsley see off Rotherham

Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane believes Tom Bradshaw stepped up in the absence of key man David McGoldrick by scoring a brace in a 3-1 victory at Rotherham.

Bradshaw, the only fit senior striker at the club, notched two goals and played a big part in the other for Adam Phillips as Barnsley heaped further misery on their local rivals.

Barnsley’s ailing form had seen them drop down the table but these three points now put them seven above the drop zone.

Hourihane was impressed by Bradshaw’s contribution as he stepped in with McGoldrick missing through injury.

He said: “I’m delighted for Bradders because he has come in and not really got the plaudits or goal return but he works his backside off.

“I was delighted for him to get a couple of goals in front of our fans.

“I thought we were really good and could have been winning by more in the first half if we tidied the ball up a little bit more.

“When we got in front we looked really strong. When we got the second I felt we were really in control.”

There were chances at either end in the first half but Barnsley took their golden one clinically.

It came from Phillips after Bradshaw shrugged off Zak Jules and Patrick Kelly led the attack forward before slipping in Phillips to smash into the bottom corner.

Barnsley doubled their lead after the hour mark with Bradshaw’s expert diving header, from Jonathan Bland’s cross, nestling into the bottom corner.

The veteran frontman then seized on a ball and beat Ted Cann one-on-one to seal the victory.

Rotherham did get one back in stoppage time with Sam Nombe scoring from the spot after he had been brought down by Cory O’Keeffe.

The Millers’ form under new boss Lee Clark has yet to show any improvements as he made it four games without victory.

Their relegation to League Two now looks a formality with them 13 points adrift of safety.

Clark said: “I have to apologise to the fans for the performance. I felt some of the players gave up in the second half and that is unacceptable in any game but especially in a derby match.

“It gives you an indication of why we are where we are. It’s galling.

“If there are people who think that’s the end and they don’t want to contribute that’s no problem, but I won’t be looking after them. I will be letting fans know and the football world know if that was to happen.

“I have told the players they have turned into practice match players. On a match pitch we don’t deliver. It is no good being good Monday to Friday.

“The game changes on their goal. We had two gilt-edged opportunities to go in front.”