Preston 1-2 Barnsley: Paul Heckingbottom and Simon Grayson reaction
Saturday 10 September 2016 22:35, UK
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom was as pleased by his side's battling qualities as their free-scoring form in the 2-1 win at Preston.
The Tykes earned their fourth win of the season thanks to substitute Adam Armstrong's well-taken finish 11 minutes from time. It was their 14th goal in six league games this term.
And Heckingbottom believes it is his players' desire to perform for the team that is behind the impressive run.
"We earned the right to play a bit more football late on and we saw the game out with a fantastic goal," he said.
"We changed the formation as the game went on and we felt that if we could get someone behind their two midfielders it could cause them a problem.
"You look at our bench now and realise that we have the options to bring on and turn a game. Likewise if we are in front we can take the game away from the opposition like we did last time (in a 4-0 win over Rotherham).
"We know we weren't at our best on the ball, but we really put our bodies on the line. I'm very proud of them and I think the fans are proud of them as well because that passion is what they want to see.
"The players are crossing the white line and getting the wins.
"What we are delighted about is the fact that it's four wins from six games. We have shown we can score goals and win games at this level and we've shown two different ways to win."
Sam Winnall opened the scoring for the visitors after 28 minutes from Marley Watkins' inviting ball across the six-yard box.
Preston debutant Aiden McGeady struck a superb equaliser just after the hour mark, but Armstrong's curled finish secured the win for Barnsley to leave Preston boss Simon Grayson cursing his luck.
"I think if anyone watched the game they will see how well we've played," he said. "We dominated the ball, the chances and the play.
"We limited them to hardly any possession second half, so to get hit on the sucker punch is very difficult to take.
"We've not deserved to lose that game, but that's football. It can be cruel at times. We just have to keep believing in what we are doing and eventually the breaks will come for us.
"If anyone has come to every game this season they will realise that we've been in every game. That's not a team struggling for confidence. We are nearly there, I've got faith in the team.
"We just weren't clinical enough at times. I thought the players left everything on the pitch and that's all you can ask them to do."
