Leeds 1-2 Barnsley: Sunday Mirror match report

Keith Hill gleefully grabbed the best win of his Barnsley reign as the Tykes continued the surprising domination of their lofty Yorkshire rivals.

First-half strikes from Ricardo Vaz Te and Craig Davies gave the men from Oakwell their first away ­victory for three months as Leeds collapsed yet again at Elland Road.

Barnsley have now taken seven points out of a ­possible nine from their last three meetings with the Whites – and they began ­confidently against a Leeds outfit who had been thumped 5-0 by Blackpool in their previous home game.

A jubilant Hill beamed: “For us to come to Elland Road and win in the manner we did is right up there for me as a special moment. I was absolutely delighted.

“Jacob Butterfield was ­superb – maybe I should stop playing him so people won’t want to buy him in January.

“But I know that, if the right offer comes in, then he will be sold.

“I want to keep him for as long as possible, but it would be hard to stand in his way of a move to the Premier League.”

Leeds were on the back foot, almost immediately as former Bolton star Vaz Te broke free down the left in the 14th minute and fired over a cross to Jim O’Brien whose header flew high over the bar.

It came as no surprise, though, when the lively Tykes took the lead after 27 minutes through Vaz Te.

O’Brien found Vaz Te with a low cross from the right, and the Portuguese striker’s mis-hit shot from 12 yards looped over the head of stranded keeper Alex McCarthy and into the back of the net.

It was Vaz Te’s third goal in only five starts this ­campaign – and then ­Davies chipped in with his fifth of the term to double his side’s ­advantage two minutes before the break.

McCarthy really should have done better than to push Jacob ­Butterfield’s drive straight back to Davies, who slotted home from close range.

Leeds responded to what must have been some harsh half-time words from boss Simon Grayson by putting in a purposeful shift after the ­interval.

After Robert Snodgrass clipped a post with an angled 48th minute drive, Ross ­McCormack dragged them back in to the ­contest with a delicious strike seven minutes later.

The Scottish international striker buried a magnificent 25-yard free-kick for his 11th goal of the season.

The only blot on Barnsley’s performance was the 89th minute sending-off of ­midfielder David Perkins.

Grayson said: “Barnsley were more of a threat than us. We didn’t move the ball quick enough and we made wrong decisions.

“We’ve now gone four at home without a win, but I don’t think we’re showing any nerves about playing at Elland Road and the fans are still backing the team.”