Barnsley 1 Fleetwood 2
Town made the worst possible start, behind after four minutes when Peter Ramage slammed home a spilled ball after Conor Hourihane’s free kick.
But Town levelled through a most unlikely source just before the quarter hour, McLaughlin making the most of a loose ball on the edge of the box, smashing a shot home from 18 yards.
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Hide AdAnd Fleetwood were ahead before the break, another set piece badly defended by the home side, McAlinden at the back post to tap home after a misplaced flick by a Tykes defender.
From that point there was only one winner, Town with a composed, professional display to contain the home side and seal the win.
“It was superb,” said manager Graham Alexander.
“The players were magnificent apart from the first five minutes when we were under the cosh.
“We conceded a poor goal by our standards, the free kick but we just took five or 10 minutes to get into it.
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Hide Ad“Once we did we settled into it and stretched them and played some good football and scored two goals which won us the game.
“We’re so pleased because the boys have been fantastic and it’s a great win for us.”