Conor Hourihane’s final match in charge of Barnsley saw them lose 3-1 at home to promotion-chasing Stockport County and finish 15th in League One.

The visitors led 1-0 at the break then Adam Phillips levelled early in the second half but Stockport retook the lead through a disputed penalty then added another deep in stoppage time.

The Reds finished in their lowest position since 2002/03 while they conceded 99 goals in all competitions.

David McGoldrick picked up an injury yesterday and was replaced in the starting line-up by Phillips, which was the only change from Tuesday’s win at Northampton.

Barnsley lost the ball several times just outside their box early on, with one seeing Josh Earl’s loose pass lead to a Josh Stokes shot that was easily saved by Kieren Flavell.

Flavell then impressively saved from Adama Sidibeh during a succession of Stockport corners but, from the next one, he dropped a simple catch and Sidibeh tapped in.

Barnsley had been very poor for 25 minutes but were slightly better until the break if still second best.

Reyes Cleary burst down the left and had a shot blocked by a combination of goalkeeper and defender then, at the other end, Flavell sprang to his right to save well from an Oliver Norwood 20-yard effort. Flavell turned a 22-yard Bailey shot around the bottom left corner after a good move down the left involving Ben Osborn and Tayo Edun.

The Reds had a goal ruled out when, after Phillips won the ball high up the pitch, Cleary was deemed offside before he crossed for Tom Bradshaw to tap in. Phillips then volleyed wide a tough chance from a Cleary cross.

In the second half, Phillips saw a header from a Connell cross saved by ex-Red Corey Addai. But he levelled soon after. Phillips saw Addai make a sensational save from his header from a Connell free-kick but, when Corey O’Keeffe whipped the ball across the face of goal from the right, he nodded in a yard out.

Phillips was then forced off with what looked like a head injury and replaced by Charlie Lennon.

Stockport were given a penalty when Eoghan O’Connell appeared to touch the ball in the box but Stokes went down the referee pointed to the spot then Norwood found the bottom left corner.

Stokes then dragged a shot wide of the bottom left corner from the right of the box after being played in by Tanto Oloafe following poor headers by substitute Marc Roberts and O’Connell.

Flavell saved from Benony Andresson’s shot from just inside the box after a driving run then, at the other end after a Roberts throw, Cleary’s powerful 18-yard volley was straight into Addai’s hands.

Substitute Scott Banks lost the ball and Stockport had three on one but Bailey overhit a pass to Oloafe who would have been clean through.

Stockport felt they should have had another penalty in injury-time when Josh Earl appeared to push Andresson over in the box but it was not given.

Cleary beat two challenges on his way into the box but shot well over.

Substitute Kelechi Nwakali lost the ball late on and Andresson went clean through to net a third for his side.

Barnsley (4-5-1): Flavell; O’Keeffe, de Gevigney (Roberts 72), O’Connell, Earl; Phillips (Lennon 64mins), Connell (Nwakali 82), Bland (Banks 82), Kelly, Cleary; Bradshaw (Farrell 72).

Unused: Goodman, Gent.

Yellow cards: Bland.

Goals: Phillips 52.

Stockport (4-2-3-1): Addai; Dacres-Cogley (Dixon 82), Pye, Wootton, Edun; Bailey, Norwood; Osborn, Stokes (Forini 82), Barry (Andresson 73mins); Sidibeh (Olaofe 73).

Unused: Hinchliffe, Mothersille.

Yellow cards: Osborn, Norwood.

Goals: Sidibeh 25, Norwood 71 (pen), Andresson 90+9.