FULL-TIME: Wanderers 2, Barnsley 0

MICHAEL Ricketts and Ricardo Gardner produced stunning first-half strikes to send Wanderers on their way to their first victory over Barnsley in five years.

Ricketts struck decisively in the 14th minute to turn in a smart cross from Gareth Farrelly for his 11th goal of the season to subdue Barnsley's lively start to the game and underline his rich vein of scoring form.

It was an impressive set-up and a wonderful finish but the irrepressible Gardner produced an even more sensational strike in the 28th minute - sweeping a 35-yarder out of Kevin Miller's reach, just under the bar.

Wanderers, who had failed to beat the Tykes in eight previous meetings - seven of which ended in draws - were in control from then on.

Paul Warhurst, making his first league start of the season in place of Mark Fish, aided and abetted Gudni Bergsson at the heart of a resolute defence, which offered Barnsley little encouragement. And the margin of victory would have been greater had Ricketts' header not bounced to safety off the post or Dean Holdsworth, a second half substitute, been on target with a shot 10 minutes from time.

ACTION HIGHLIGHTS

4 mins: Alarm bells ring when Sheron sends Ripley into space on the right but the loan man's cross is too high for Dyer.

GOAL!

14 mins: Wanderers' first decent attack proves fruitful with Farrelly forcing his way past O'Callaghan and cutting the ball back for Ricketts at the near post to turn the ball high into the net for his 11th goal of the season.

24 mins: Jaaskelainen races off his line to beat Dyer to Sheron's dangerous through ball.

GOAL!

28 mins: Gardner produces a sensational left-foot strike from 35-yards to squueze the ball over Miller's reach and just under the bar.

29 mins: Barnsley threaten an instant reply but Dyer's back post header from Neil's cross is off target.

39 mins: Bergsson homes in on Farrelly's free kick at the back post until Ricketts gets in first with an off-target header.

Half-time: 2-0.

56 mins: Hansen gets the pulses racing with a storming run, leaving Chettle in a heap and cutting inside Morgan before curling a shot narrowly wide.

68 mins: Ricketts gets on the end of O'Kane's deep cross only to see his header beat Miller and hit the post.

80 mins: Hansen sents up Holdsworth but the subs' shot is off target.

83 mins: Nolan gets back to do just enough to force Carbo to shoot wide after Sheron's pass sends the Uruguayan clear.

Wanderers (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; O'Kane, Bergsson, Warhurst, Elliott; Gardner, Nolan, Frandsen, Farrelly; Hansen, Ricketts. Subs: Holdsworth for Ricketts 74 mins, Morini for Hansen 89 mins, Barness, Passi, Banks.

Barnsley (4-4-2): Miller; O'Callaghan, Morgan, Chettle, Barker; Ripley, Ward, Maddison, Neil; Sheron, Dyer. Subs: Thomas for Maddison 62 mins, Jones for Dyer 65 mins, Corbo for Ward 74 mins, Walker, Dudgeon.

Referee: Paul Alcock (Halstead, Kent).

Attendance: 13,406.