Assistant boss Ryan Kidd praised Barnsley's dedication after the Tykes moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a win over Ipswich.Brian Howard scored a double as the south Yorkshire club returned to action following their FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Chelsea.
Skipper Howard hauled Barnsley level soon after Ipswich striker Pablo Counago had ended his three-month goal drought by firing the visitors into a 20th-minute lead.
Jon Macken headed Barnsley in front early in the second half and skipper Howard buried his 13th goal of the season from the penalty spot late on to dent Ipswich's play-off hopes and ease the Tykes' relegation worries.
David Wright nodded into his own goal in the 86th minute to compound the visitors' misery and hand Barnsley a 4-1 triumph.
Kidd said: "I am just delighted with the lads' application after the game on Saturday and the effort they put in.
"The lads were tired and it was shear heart, graft and desire to get them through and we beat a side that's going to be in the play-offs.
"They put their bodies on the line and defended as a team. We are now unbeaten in five matches and the momentum in the team is going sky high.
"The captain's performance was brilliant and he led by example.
"I think we need 51 or 52 points to be safe and we are on track for that."
The visitors took the lead when Barnsley keeper Luke Steele could only parry a 20-yard shot from Velice Sumulikoski and the ball fell to Counago who had the simple task of tapping home from close range.
Seven minutes later Barnsley equalised minutes later through Howard. Bobby Hassell's poke through from the edge of the area found an unmarked Howard who side-footed the ball home on the angle.
Jon Macken, one of the three Barnsley players who missed the cup tie against Chelsea, headed home a Howard corner five minutes after the restart to give Barnsley the lead.
Ipswich tried to get back on level terms but they could not prise open the Barnsley defence. Counago came closest when he hit the bar from six yards after Barnsley failed to deal with an Alex Bruce long throw.
The match was over in the 83rd when Jamal Campbell-Rice was fouled by David Norris after a long run in the area. Howard coolly slotted the spot kick home.
Wright then nodded into his own goal as Barnsley claimed an emphatic victory.
Ipswich boss Jim Magilton said: "We scored a good goal and thought we started the game really well.
"But Barnsley showed real character because they a riding a crest of a wave.
"Jon Macken handled the ball home and the penalty was never a penalty.
"It was never a 4-1 defeat. I thought a lot of our lads gave in at the end. At 2-1 we pressed them hard and we had to take our chances. At the end it got a bit embarrassing, they need to lift me.
"We want winners at Ipswich and if they don't then we'll get some more.''
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