Town made the perfect start when, after two minutes, Andersen netted a downward header from Jamie Donley’s free-kick.

Barnsley almost had a swift response, Vimal Yoganathan’s header tipped away by James Shea and Ryan Brownlie hammering the rebound over.

With 13 minutes gone Hatters striker Nahki Wells curled against a post, but the Tykes should have levelled, Tobi Adeyemo sidefooting wide and Yoganathan heading off target.

It was 2-0 in the 41st minute, Liam Walsh’s free-kick met by George Johnston for Wells to nod in.

After the break, Town almost started quickly again, Cieran Slicker parrying from Mendel, but Barnsley had one back in the 58th minute, half-time substitute Makenzie Kirk slamming in.

Clark forced Slicker into a smart stop as Yogananthan fired at Shea, with Clark putting a free header over.

There was controversy in the final minute when Amani Richards thought he had won a penalty only to be booked for diving by referee Carl Brook, which led to a melee between both dugouts after the final whistle.