Steve Cooper picked up his first victory as Nottingham Forest manager as his side overturned a 1-0 deficit to triumph 3-1 at Barnsley.
Cooper’s substitutions worked a treat as the Reds hit back in the second half through Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and Lewis Grabban.
After picking up a point in his first game in charge, when his team came from behind to draw 1-1 with Millwall, new boss Cooper was looking to notch a first win of his tenure at Oakwell.
He made one change to the starting XI from Saturday’s game at the City Ground, with Zinckernagel coming in for Grabban.
The latter picked up a thigh injury against the Lions, but was fit enough to be included on the bench for the midweek clash.
His absence saw Zinckernagel lead the line as the Reds stuck with the same 3-4-3 formation deployed in their past two outings, utilising wing-backs for added attacking threat.
Just as on Saturday, though, Forest found themselves trailing at the break.
Something of a flat first half saw few chances created by either side.
The visitors got into promising positions and threatened on the counterattack, but fell short with the final ball.
Joe Lolley tried to make the most of a loose kick from Brad Collins with little more than 10 minutes gone, having a go from range, only to drag his effort well wide.
A quick break soon after saw Zinckernagel show neat control, once a Barnsley corner had been cleared. The Watford loanee then raced down the pitch and looked to play in Johnson, but the youngster’s touch couldn’t quite match that of his teammate and the opportunity went begging.
The hosts had barely threatened up until that point. Poor judgement by Tobias Figueiredo, however, proved costly.
The defender hauled back Cauley Woodrow in the area, giving referee Geoff Eltringham little option but to point to the spot. After a little hesitation, Woodrow coolly slotted in the penalty to give his side the lead with 20 minutes played.
Forest tried to respond, with Djed Spence offering a good outlet down the right. One of his crosses almost found Johnson, on the half hour mark - Barnsley were alert to the danger, though.
Cooper’s side needed an instinctive stop from Brice Samba to keep them in the game early in the second half; the Reds keeper denying Woodrow from point-blank range after the ball broke for the Tykes man in the area.
But no sooner had Zinckernagel been thwarted at the other end, following Lolley’s ball, he then bagged the leveller in the 61st minute.
Substitute Lewis Grabban set up the move with his first touch, playing in Johnson. After racing forward, the academy product teed up Zinckernagel, who found the net from a few yards out with a simple finish.
In the space of less than 10 minutes, the visitors managed to turn the game on its head as Johnson gave them the lead.
The offside flag initially went up as he broke through, then went down again, and the goal stood after the 20-year-old found the net with aplomb.
Cooper’s substitutions had worked a treat, with a switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation paying dividends.
And Grabban put the icing on the cake in the closing minutes, capitalising on Alex Mighten’s cross to make it 3-1.
Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Oakwell.
Brice Samba: Really struggled with his distribution - usually such a reliable part of his game. Didn’t have too many saves to make, though. Rating: 5/10
Tobias Figueiredo: Can have no argument over the penalty given against him. Blatantly pulled back Cauley Woodrow. Poor judgement - and it proved costly. Had done okay other than that. Rating: 5/10
Joe Worrall: Didn’t always look particularly comfortable playing it out from the back. Weighed in with some important blocks, though, and went close with a late chance. Rating: 7/10
Scott McKenna: Barnsley didn’t create too many clearcut chances, and the defence generally managed to keep them at bay. Dealt with the threat well enough. Rating: 7/10
Djed Spence: Looked the most likely to create something in the first half as he was Forest’s strongest attacking outlet. A constant menace with his runs down the right. Rating: 8/10
James Garner: Didn’t look himself again. Some sloppy moments on the ball as he was guilty of gifting the opposition possession. Struggling to find form in his second loan spell. Rating: 5/10
Ryan Yates: Grew into the game, improving no end as the contest went on. Midfield couldn’t get to grips with things in the first half. But Yates started pinging balls around after the break - some lovely passes in there. Rating: 7.5/10
Max Lowe: Played his part in some promising attacking moves. Seems to enjoy the freedom afforded to him, without neglecting his defensive duties. Rating: 7.5/10
Philip Zinckernagel: Involved in some nice moves in the first half, without really threatening as a quality final ball proved elusive. Much better after the interval as he helped turn the game on its head. Rating: 7.5/10
Brennan Johnson: Came to life in the second half. His pace terrified the hosts, and Forest were able to make the most of it. Great composure to set up the equaliser and then again for the winner. Rating: 8.5/10
Joe Lolley: Kept plugging away, trying to create something - even if it didn’t always come off. Tried his luck a couple of times. Not quite the Joe Lolley of old, but the promise of more to come. Rating: 7/10
Subs
Lewis Grabban (for Figueiredo, 60): A really positive substitution, and one with an immediate impact. Started the move for the leveller with a nice first touch. Grabbed a goal for himself, too. Rating: 8/10
Jack Colback (for Garner, 71): Almost managed to get in on the goalscoring action with an attempt towards the end. Helped see out the win. Rating: 7/10
Alex Mighten (for Lolley, 75): Lovely run and cross to help put the cherry on the cake, setting up Forest’s third. Rating: 7.5/10
Subs not used: Horvath, Carvalho, Bong, Taylor.
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