AN EARLY Philip Billing header proved to be enough to heap more misery on rock-bottom Barnsley, as Cherries got back to winning ways at Oakwell.

The visitors dominated possession for the majority of the contest, but could not quite kill it off after Billing nodded home after goalkeeper Brad Collins was caught out of position.

Cherries were wasteful in the final third, and had to see out a nervy final few minutes after Gary Cahill was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But they managed to keep Barnsley at bay to take a 1-0 victory and get back on track after two straight losses.

Scott Parker made four changes to the Cherries side which lost to Hull City last weekend. Cahill, Jordan Zemura, Ben Pearson and Jaidon Anthony were all recalled. Jefferson Lerma and Jamal Lowe, who spent part of the week isolating due to positive COVID-19 tests, were both involved in the squad, Lerma starting and Lowe on the bench.

Morgan Rogers, who has been linked with a move away, Orjan Nyland and Lewis Cook were all absent from the matchday squad.

Struggling Barnsley were without boss Poya Asbaghi due to coronavirus, with assistant Ferran Sibila taking charge from the dugout.

Cherries looked controlled from the off. Billing headed an early chance over before Jack Stacey did brilliantly down the right to tee up Dominic Solanke, who turned just wide.

But the deadlock was broken on 12 minutes.

Solanke beat an advancing Collins to the ball, touching it around the goalkeeper. Cherries’ striker lobbed a high cross into the box, which was met by a leaping Billing, towering above the rest to nod home, despite a touch from Collins as he retreated back towards his own goal.

The atmosphere around Oakwell was despondent as they saw their side, who have just two league wins all season, fall behind again.

Lerma then blazed over from a tight angle before a 20-yard Ryan Christie effort was fumbled initially by Collins, before the keeper held on at the second attempt.

Barnsley finally called Mark Travers into action at the other end just before the half-hour mark. Aaron Leya Iseka, the younger brother of Chelsea frontman Michy Batshuayi, broke away down the left before stinging the palms of Travers with a fierce effort.

Cherries were soon back on the front foot, Billing firing over right-footed from inside the box before Solanke nodded over from an Anthony corner.

But it was Barnsley who finished the half strongly, almost snatching an equaliser. After Romal Palmer intercepted a Travers clearance, the ball was worked well with Callum Styles before being crossed in to Devante Cole. The striker headed goalwards, but found Lloyd Kelly in the way to make a vital block.

The Tykes also carved out of the first opening of the second period. A deep free-kick into the box fell to Cole, whose effort was parried away by Travers.

Cherries came close from a set piece of their own soon after. Anthony’s drilled effort towards the back post was met by the head of Lerma, but Collins pushed it to safety.

Barnsley, showing more intent since the break, called Travers into action again when Styles aimed for the bottom corner from range, but the Irishman got down to make the stop.

The visitors were still looking dangerous when they went forwards, Zemura in particular seeming a real threat, but the moves were not converted as the lead remained at just 1-0.

Barnsley made changes as they looked to force an equaliser and one of their substitutes almost found it with his first touch, Aiden Marsh’s half-volley held by Travers.

Cherries had to endure a nervy final few minutes having been reduced to 10 men when Cahill was given his marching orders. The former England international received a second yellow card after sliding in on Cole.

Hill was instantly introduced for his debut and helped close out the win.

Cherries: Travers; Stacey, Cahill, Kelly, Zemura; Pearson, Lerma, Billing; Christie (Hill, 89), Anthony (Lowe, 83), Solanke.

Unused subs: Davis, Moriah-Welsh, Kilkenny, Marcondes, Dennis (g/k).

Booked: Cahill x2, Solanke, Zemura.

Sent off: Cahill.

Barnsley: Collins; Moon, Helik, Andersen; Williams, Palmer (Benson, 68), Wolfe (Marsh, 78), Styles, Vita; Cole, Leya Iseka.

Unused subs: Sraha, Hondermarck, Bremang, Thompson, Walton (g/k).

Booked: None.

Referee: Andre Marriner.

Attendance: 11,972 (inc 926 away).