Barnsley 0-2 Stockport

Shefki Kuqi was on target again as Stockport won

Stockport's battle against relegation was given a boost with a well-deserved win over in-form Barnsley at Oakwell.

County striker Shefki Kuqi gave the visitors an early lead after a mistake from Barnsley keeper Kevin Miller and Aaron Wilbraham's lucky strike just after the hour put the game beyond the Tykes.

The visitors made a great start when Kuqi's eight-yard header from an Ali Gibb corner squirmed under Miller's body, before rolling into the net to give the Kosovo-born Finnish international a fourth goal in last three games.

County continued to press and on 23 minutes, Wilbraham's header from a Shane Nicholson free-kick was well saved.

Stockport frustrated Barnsley and limited them to just three chances of any real note in the first half, Martin Bullock and Bruce Dyer both failing to hit the target with their long-range efforts.

Two minutes before the break, a Darren Barnard free-kick eventually found Chris Morgan at the back post, but Lee Jones dived bravely at the defender's feet to block.

Stockport carried on where they left off after the break, with Leo Roget heading over another Nicholson free-kick from eight yards.

The visitors were rewarded for their battling display with a second goal after Wilbraham was given acres of space to fire in a shot from 25-yards out.

The 21-year-old's curling attempt seemed harmless until a wicked bounce deceived Miller and the ball spun into the top-left corner.

Barnsley boss Nigel Spackman made a double substitution, youngsters Anthony Kay and Carl Barrowclough replacing Barnard and Alex Neil.

Barrowclough made an immediate impression after his good run led to Dyer's curling effort being deflected wide for a corner.

As the final whistle drew closer, Barrowclough's run and shot forced keeper Jones into a near-post save.

Then substitute Mike Sheron, who had only been on the field a matter of minutes, stung the hands of Jones with a fierce drive from 20 yards.

Despite Barnsley's late pressure, Stockport eased to victory to leave the Lancashire outfit with a two-points cushion above the relegation zone.

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Barnsley: Miller, Regan, Morgan, Chettle, Barker, Bullock, Neil, Ward, Barnard, Shipperley, Dyer. Subs: Sheron, Kay, Barrowclough, Brown, Marriott.

Stockport: Jones, Nicholson, Flynn, Fradin, Roget, Grayson, Gibb, Clare, Hurst, Kuqi, Wilbraham. Subs: Clark, Carrigan, Wiss, Turner, Bergersen.

Referee: M Cowburn (Blackpool).