Barnsley part ways with Collins ahead of final League One fixture

Barnsley have parted company with head coach Neill Collins, the club has confirmed.

The Tykes sit fifth in the League One table ahead of their home fixture against Northampton on the final day.

There is a chance they could still miss out on the play-offs, with Oxford, Lincoln and Blackpool all close behind.

The Yorkshire outfit have taken one point from their last five matches following a 3-2 defeat at Bloomfield Road over the weekend. They trailed 3-0 before goals from John McAtee and Adam Phillips in the second half.

The result against the Seasiders has proven to be the final straw for Collins, who took charge last summer following Michael Duff’s switch to Swansea.

Martin Devaney will take charge of the side on an interim basis and the club will “update supporters in the coming days”.

Director of football Mladen Sormaz said: “Neill has been extremely professional throughout the period with which I have worked with him, he has done everything he can do to push the team in the direction we all want Barnsley to go.

“He has conducted himself with professionalism and commitment throughout the period I have worked with him.

“However, with a crucial season conclusion ahead of us, we feel that now is the right time to make a change.

“We thank the fans for their continued support and urge you all to back the team this Saturday against Northampton. We will update supporters in the coming days."

Wanderers drew 2-2 at Oakwell last month after Randell Williams’ dramatic equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

The Whites came up just short against Barnsley in the play-off semi-final last season, losing 2-1 on aggregate.

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