First half goals from Tom Bradshaw and Conor Hourihane sealed a 2-1 victory over Alex Neil's Norwich City.

Paul Heckingbottom stuck with the Barnsley eleven which earned the win at Birmingham City a week ago whilst striker Stefan Payne was on the bench with Adam Armstrong injured.

Ryan Kent tested out England international John Ruddy in the opening exchanges but his effort was gathered easily enough.At the other end, Alex Pritchard fired just wide from a free kick on the edge of the box.

The Reds went in front on 12 minutes when Tom Bradshaw met a cross from Josh Scowen perfectly on the volley and beat Ruddy at his near post.

The visitors responded with Pritchard testing Adam Davies for the first time with a free kick from distance.

Bradshaw almost got his second after Ruddy spilled a corner but the 'keeper recovered to tip over the bar.

Strike partner Sam Winnall then blew a big chance to double the lead after a deflected Ryan Kent cross fell kindly to him, the striker rushed his shot and blasted over from close range.

Barnsley had to wait until the 40th minute to go further in front with captain Hourihane capitalising on a poor clearance brilliantly and smashing the ball into the top corner giving Ruddy no chance.

Norwich made two substitutions at the break with experienced duo Youssouf Mulumbu and Martin Olsson brought on.

Barnsley were made to defend early on with Jacob Murphy having an early shot blocked and then Angus MacDonald got in the way of an effort from Howson before Marc Roberts bravely headed a strike from Brady.

Norwich had one back on 52 minutes when Nelson Oliveira caught Davies out with a powerful strike from distance.

The away side continued to push for a leveller and Barnsley almost capitalised but had a goal from Sam Morsy chalked off for offside after Kent had led a counter-attack.

Oliveira then dragged wide after being played in by Mulumbu and the Portuguese frontman then forced a save out of Davies from a free kick.

Barnsley replaced their two frontmen with Payne and Adam Hammill coming on but continued to look dangerous, particularly through the pacy Kent.

Ivo Pinto was the next Norwich man to test Davies but his shot was easily parried.

Roberts made a key interception in the final five minutes to deny Norwich substitute Kyle Lafferty a clear run on goal.

The Reds saw out four minutes of added on time and a succession of Norwich corners to ensure six points from six in December.

Barnsley: Davies, Bree, MacDonald, Roberts, Yiadom, Scowen, Morsy, Hourihane, Kent (Janko 90+5), Winnall (Hammill 71), Bradshaw (Payne 71).Unused: Townsend, Kpekawa, Evans, Williams.

Norwich: Ruddy, Pinto, Bennett, Bassong, Brady (Lafferty 85), Jacob Murphy, Dorrans, Howson, Josh Murphy (Olsson half time), Pritchard (Mulumbu half time), Oliveira.Unused: Jones, Martin, Hoolahan, Klose.

Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire). Attendance: 12, 306 (1,287 from Norwich).