BARNSLEY experienced defender Darren Moore today revealed that Ipswich Town were stronger opponents on Saturday than promotion-chasing West Brom had been at Oakwell four days earlier.

Elvin King

BARNSLEY experienced defender Darren Moore today revealed that Ipswich Town were stronger opponents on Saturday than promotion-chasing West Brom had been at Oakwell four days earlier.

The 35-year-old defender was said to be celebrating his 600th senior appearance since playing for Torquay in 1992.

He said: “It was a tough win against a side that is showing signs of starting to turn things around.

“They made life harder for us than West Brom, and we have to be pleased with three points to go with our West Brom victory.

“And me, I've a lot more life left in me yet.”

Former Blues loanee Jon Macken, who famously kicked dug-out water bottles all over the place when substituted by Jim Magilton at Oakwell in 2006/07, scored the late Barnsley winner.

He said: “Ipswich are a great club and I'm sure they'll get out of it.

“It's disappointing because you never want to see any of your old teams struggle.

“But they're very well supported and I'm sure they'll put things right sooner rather than later.

“It was a very dramatic end and there were chances at both ends.

“I've scored one or two late goals in my career but it's always nice - whatever point it comes in a game.”

Barnsley boss Mark Robins, who replaced Simon Davey last month, said: “It was a great time to score the winner, when there was no time for them to reply.

“The conditions were shocking and it was always going to be a tough game.

“We tried to turn it into a cup final.

“We needed to be first to the second balls and we did that for a while.

“It's the first time we've recorded back-to-back wins since Boxing Day, so from that point of view it was excellent.

“I think we deserved to win, but Ipswich had one or two chances too. The windy weather didn't help the game with the conditions shocking, atrocious, and didn't make for a good game.”