Conor Hourihane admits the protest which saw some Barnsley fans throw tennis balls onto the pitch affected his team slightly but was delighted that they won 2-1 at home to Exeter City.
The Reds went 2-0 up early then fans threw on the balls and sang against the club owners. Exeter pulled one back late on.
On the protests, Hourihane told the Chronicle: “I did think it affect us a little bit, I’ve got to be honest. We were in our stride. We were winning 2-0. I don't think it helped the team. But the fans can voice their opinions on whatever they want to voice them on.
“Me and the players are putting in everything to try and win as many games as we can. I want to win as many games as I can and have that connection with the fans.
“I understand that they're frustrated about things, and I get it. But in that moment, it probably just didn't help us, which is a little bit disappointing. But I get that they want to voice it as well, and they're fully entitled to it.”
He added: “It's been there all season. And there was probably going to become a moment where probably it spills over. Something was going to happen or there was going to be some sort of protest, let's say.
“And it obviously happened today. I'm just delighted that we can say we won, and that's not the main talking point.
“And I know the fans want it to be the main talking point, and that's their way of voicing their opinion. I think they'll be happy in one way that we've ended up winning it as well.”
Hourihane was pleased with the response from Tuesday’s loss to Wycombe.
“The biggest message was just to win today. We were all really, really disappointed after Tuesday. We've had a really in-depth discussion around what went wrong, how can we get better. And I asked the lads to put in a performance that ultimately just wins.
“And we did that today. So really, really pleased for everyone.
“I think that's three wins in five now, which isn't bad. The two games that we lost were obviously Huddersfield and Wycombe, only by one goal margins, so it could have easily have been better.
“We went 2-0 up early and we've had games this season where we've gone up by a couple of goals, AFC Wimbledon and Mansfield at home.
“And I said to them at half-time: “right, what have we learned from that game? How do we not make it happen again?" And then we come in here at five o'clock and we've got three points.”
“Big improvement from that point, learning as we go on. It's been a good three points today.”
David McGoldrick netted his 16th of the season. Hourihane said: “He's vital, and everyone knows it.
“He's such a focal point. He sets the tone, sets the energy, scores goals.
“And ever since Davo (Davis Keillor-Dunn) left to go to Wrexham, everyone was kind of wondering about that void and how it would go. And he’s stepped in and been first-class in our goal-scoring kind of records.”
Vimal Yoganathan made it 2-0. Hourihane said: “I thought he was brilliant. He gave us that energy. He won loads of duels.
“Before the game, we showed him a couple of clips in the team meeting around when he's won the ball high up and being really aggressive, and his running power, and he's got that in abundance. So he put in a real good performance today. I'm delighted for him.”
Jack Shepherd went off early in the second half with an injury.
“I don't think it's too bad from my first information from the medical team. Obviously, we'll have to see if Tuesday comes too close.
“But initially, we're hoping, once it kind of settles down, that it won't be a long-term term. But when it's your knee, you just never quite know. Hopefully, it's not major.”
