Reds unlucky in Cup defeat

Barnsley were last night knocked out of the first round of the Carling Cup at Crewe thanks to two spot-kicks for the League One outfit.

Simon Davey selected a strong side to travel to the Alexandra Stadium, with only one change out of three that wasn`t enforced.

Mounir El Haimour was sidelined with a thigh injury and Marciano Van Homoet began his first of a three-match ban. Maceo Rigters was handed his starting debut up-front alongside Iain Hume.

Crewe started brightly with Byron Moore seeing his header turned away by Luke Steele. The home side then had a great chance to break the dealock after Darren Moore bundled Tom Bundle over in the area.

Up stepped Michael O`connor to plant past Luke Steele who got a hand to the ball.

The Reds hit back immediatley when Diego Leon fired a spectacular 25-yard free-kick over the wall and towards the top corner, Crewe`s 'keeper tipped the Spaniard`s effort onto the right-angle of the post.

Barnsley then gave away a third penalty in two games as Rob Kozluk brought down Byron Moore as the winger raced into the box. Kozluk was booked before Anthony Elding smashed the penalty into the top-right corner to double the Alex`s advantage.

The second half saw wave after wave of Barnsley bombarding the Crewe box but somehow Steve Holland`s men stood firm.

The introduction of three more strikers in Macken, Odejayi and Mostto failed to break down the Alex in the remaining half hour.

The ball just wouldn't drop for Reds and on any other day Barnsley could have banged four or five into the net.

Just wait until Christmas to see where the Reds are in the League before making any rash judgements. Let`s get behind the Reds on Saturday, where our season starts against Coventry.

Come On You Reds!

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