Barnsley 2-1 Carlisle United: late penalty pain for Blues

The Blues were aggrieved when ref Will Finnie penalised sub Jordan Gibson's challenge on Adam Phillips in the 86th minute.

Kane blasted the spot-kick past Harry Lewis to complete Barnsley's fightback - and keep second-bottom Carlisle six points adrift of safety.

United had led through Luke Armstrong's first goal for the club on six minutes, with Dan Butterworth having three more golden chances early on.

But Barnsley improved after the break with Devante Cole equalising before the painful finish, with Paul Simpson later blasting the penalty decision as "disgusting."

There were significant changes to the XI and also the subs from Blues boss Simpson.

Paul Huntington was recalled to the defence and as captain for his first outing since November.

Luke Armstrong, right, celebrates the opener (Image: Richard Parkes)

Jack Armer also came back into the XI, with both Jack Robinson and Corey Whelan out of the team and the squad.

There was a welcome return to the squad, meanwhile, for fit-again Fin Back, while loan defender Sean Grehan was in the squad for the first time since his move from Crystal Palace.

Barnsley made one change, Luca Connell replacing Jon Russell, while ex-Blues striker Sam Cosgrove began on the bench for the Tykes.

The hosts were strong favourites but it was Carlisle who started at pace and could have had the game sewn up inside 12 minutes.

They forced four huge chances, the first coming to Butterworth when he turned the last defender and went clean through but saw his shot saved by Liam Roberts after just 37 seconds.

Four minutes later and Butterworth could have scored again, as United took advantage of more ponderous Barnsley work but, as the ball came his way from the right, he swept his finish wide.

Next, though, Carlisle did score, as home keeper Roberts could only pick out Armstrong and the United striker drilled the ball past the stranded keeper from outside the box.

And it was followed by another huge Butterworth chance as he headed a Jack Ellis cross against the post after a well-flighted ball from Harrison Neal.

Dan Butterworth's header hit the post (Image: Richard Parkes)

The home fans were dismayed by their side's start while Carlisle's vocal fans rejoiced in the away end.

Owen Moxon's last-ditch interception denied Cole an equaliser inside the six-yard box, before Carlisle again charged down the hosts' play from the back, Alfie McCalmont unable to capitalise.

Armstrong was giving United a good platform while, at the other end, Lewis came off his line to deny Callum Styles with a solid save.

John McAtee then shot wide from the edge of the box as United reached the break with their lead intact.

Barnsley boss Collins made a double change at the break, introducing Nicky Cadden and Barry Cotter in a bid to turn things around.

The hosts went on the attack early in the second half but Styles curled a free-kick well over the bar from a good position.

Lewis kept out a Jordan Williams cross before Armstrong, stretching, sent a chance over the bar as he got to the ball before Roberts.

United react as Barnsley level through Devante Cole (Image: Richard Parkes)

The hosts, though, pulled level on 58 minutes when they came through a 50-50 challenge with Neal and Williams eventually picked out Cole to the left - and his finish was powerful, low and accurate across Lewis.

The home side went on to boss the next period and pushed United's back with a series of deliveries.

Carlisle looked for an outlet and Neal, from a cleared Armer cross, saw a shot blocked 20 minutes from time. Gibson then came off the bench for Butterworth as Cosgrove replaced Styles for the hosts.

Back then made his return for Ellis but Carlisle were hit in the 86th minute as Phillips ghosted onto the ball in the box and went down under Gibson's challenge.

Herbie Kane beats Harry Lewis from the spot (Image: Richard Parkes)

Ref Finnie pointed to the spot to United's fury, and Kane blasted the penalty high past Lewis to win it for Neill Collins' promotion-chasing hosts.

Barnsley: Roberts, Williams, De Gevigney, Shepherd, O’Keeffe (Cotter 46), Phillips, Kane (Russell 90), Connell (Cadden 46), Styles (Cosgrove 77), McAtee, Cole. Not used: Killip, Lopata, Watters.

Goals: Cole 58, Kane 86pen

United: Lewis, Lavelle, Huntington, Mellish, Ellis (Back 82), Armer, Neal, Moxon, McCalmont, Butterworth (Gibson 77), Armstrong. Not used: Breeze, Garner, Charters, Maguire, Grehan.

Goal: Armstrong 6.

Booked: Armstrong.

Ref: Will Finnie.

Crowd: 11,507 (883 United fans).