GORDON STRACHAN ON TRACK

Middlesbrough 2 Barnsley 1

BIRTHDAY boy Gordon Strachan’s Middlesbrough revolution is ­beginning to reap rewards after his new-look side produced their best home form of the season to KO in-form Barnsley.

Gary O’Neil was the only ­survivor from Gareth Southgate’s final game in charge last ­September.

And it was the skipper’s 35th-minute goal which ultimately proved the difference between the two sides as Boro notched up only their second win at the Riverside under Strachan.

Barnsley caused a few nerves in the Boro ranks after Hugo Colace struck on 66 minutes.

But a Boro side, including seven January signings, were good value for a victory which revives their hopes of a top-six finish.

Chris Killen, one of five Celtic old boys reunited with Strachan, broke the deadlock in the 24th minute.

It was a goal honed on the ­training ground with Jonathan Grounds flicking on O’Neil’s ­corner and the big Kiwi timing his run perfectly before firing home from close range.

O’Neil then stretched Boro’s lead, racing on to Barry Robson’s pass and sliding the ball past Barnsley keeper Luke Steele. New £3.5m striker Scott ­McDonald provided a goalscoring threat rarely seen at the Riverside in ­recent years.

The Aussie livewire almost found the net seven minutes into his debut only to be brilliantly foiled by Steele.

But Barnsley were much ­improved in the second half and they reduced the deficit through Colace when Boro failed to clear a long throw-in.

And three minutes later Andy Gray could only head into the arms of Boro keeper Brad Jones.

But the Teessiders held on for all three points and Strachan will be hoping his new signings can play a big part in their ­promotion push.

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