SAM Allardyce drew satisfaction and pride from Saturday's jinx-smashing, record-breaking Oakwell win which kept Wanderers' promotion flame flickering.

But he admitted that the 'fear factor' that haunted Wanderers during their winless run at the Reebok had caused him serious concern in a lacklustre first half.

"It was a fantastic result," the manager said after Michael Ricketts' 56th minute goal ensured the race for automatic promotion goes into the last week of the season - as he'd predicted all along.

"We thought, if we could come off with a clean sheet, we would win the game. We knew we would get chances and we got many of them, particularly in the second half.

"But the first half was very low tempo, very slow. I think we were a little bit frightened and at half time we had to give the lads a pep talk to get them up, get more energy in the game and get out and use the elements a little bit. We were playing against the wind and the pitch, although it looked good, was a little bobbly so it was difficult to get the ball down and play.

"We started much better in the second half and the introduction of Dean Holdsworth was important. We didn't want to risk him with his groin but his hold-up play made us a much more fluent side. Then Bo (Hansen), going down the right because Nicky Summerbee had hurt his shoulder, provided the ball for Michael to score the all-important goal.

"From then on there were enough chances to kill Barnsley off but we didn't and there was the usual panic towards the end when the free kick outside the box was moved 10 yards on. You just wonder at that particular time if it's going to be your day or not. I must admit I thought 'Here we go - it's Crewe all over again!' but we defended that one right, which was terrific because the defence had been superb throughout.

"We were a little bit lacklustre in the first half but we'd plenty of chances second to kill the game off. Obviously when they went down to 10 men it made it a little bit easier for us but sometimes we took it too easy. We wanted that second goal, didn't get it but we got the win that we wanted.

"It's still down to us to take it to end of the season and try not to let the last two games run out and us not have anything to play for.

"But we've got 83 points so we know we're going to finish third now, at least, and that's a great achievement in itself.

"Another achievement, even though it's not significant in terms of our future, is that we've broken that away record of 13 wins and that's fantastic.

"It doesn't mean anything if we don't get the ultimate prize in the end but we can't do any more than win a game and now we just keep our fingers crossed."

For the second season in succession Allardyce has taken Wanderers to the threshold of the Premiership with begged, borrowed and short-term-contract players in key roles. Last season it was Paul Ritchie and Allan Johnston, this time it's Matt Clarke and Summerbee.

The former Manchester City and Sunderland winger was unfortunately added to the list of casualties at Oakwell, having only recently got into his stride, but Clarke came through and is now, to the manager's relief, starting to produce the confident, dominant form that persuaded him to prise him away from Bradford on loan.

"Matt Clarke's getting better with every game," the manager said, satisfied he has found solidity and reliability in the position which, following Jussi Jaaskelainen's injury in January, has caused him more concern this season than any other.

"Like everybody else, when you're picking up the cast-offs, as I have had to do, it takes time to get them to where they should be. Nicky Summerbee was the same. He hadn't played for three months and Matt Clarke hadn't played for three months when he came to us. But, unfortunately because you need them, you have to put them into your first team when you know they're not quite to where they should be. But they come through in the end. Nicky, over the past few games, has played a major part and Matt Clarke's beginning to play a major part in the side for us."