Mixed feelings for Barnsley FC interim head coach Martin Devaney after Reds take Bolton Wanderers 'to the wire' - but ultimately lose out in League One play-off semi-final

Convincing 3-1 victors in the first installment at Oakwell, Bolton led 2-1 at the break with quick-fire goals before the interval from Aaron Collins and Eoin Toal putting the hosts in front after Sam Cosgrove's 36th-minute opener for the Reds.Despite looking home and hosed, Bolton could not seal the tie on the restart and Barnsley displayed tremendous character in the last half hour.Adam Phillips' deflected shot drew the visitors level on the night at 2-2 before Cosgrove headed in his second goal to set up a nervy finale for the hosts as the Reds went 3-2 up.

Try as they might, Barnsley could not grab another goal to take the game to extra time as Wanderers held out to book their place in the showpiece with the final whistle being a prelude to a pitch invasion after a tense finale.

On a first win in nine matches in all competitions for Barnsley, Devaney, who confirmed he is not a candidate for the vacant full-time head coach role, said: "It was a hell of a game and we took them to the wire.

"But with the first game and conceding late on, it's killed us really, with the decision as a foul on the keeper (for Bolton's third goal).

"And with their first goal, Devante (Cole) is off the pitch and the second goal is a penalty and a mistake and the third goal is a foul. That's hurt us, but that's football and there's no crying about it.

"But we showed real grit here and real character. To come here and put on that performance showed what the players can do. We played forward and hit diagonals and Sam caused a lot of problems and we picked up the second balls.

"I thought we were well worth it and we took them to the wire and that's how we want to see a Barnsley team. Playing forward, showing that grit and character and pressing. I thought we did all of those things and I was really proud of the players.

"We had to show real fight and resilience and we did that to get back in the game. It was really good. That's what I expect to see from a Barnsley side."

Admitting to disappointment after Barnsley conceded another goal from a set-play to enable Bolton to go 2-1 ahead, Devaney added: "It's a set-piece and that's been a problem all season. Set-pieces have really hurt us. But it's not a night to blame anyone, we reflect and improve for next season.

"I also thought we should have had a penalty and it could have changed things. But it wasn't to be and this season, it hasn't quite fallen for us."

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After seeing his side edged out by Barnsley at the same stage of the play-offs 12 months ago, Wanderers boss Ian Evatt was on the right side of the result over two legs this time around, but admitted that his joy was tempered by the sight of his side producing a very nervy second half from a defensive perspective.

He continued: "For us, it's another learning curve. The game was going nowhere, then a simple error gave the momentum again and we didn’t react well to that goal.

"The second half was nail-biting and it feels almost anti-climactic. But we have to enjoy it, we’ve done enough over the two games to be there and now we’re one game from our target.

"Eventually I’ll get to a place of happiness but, at the moment, that was more uncomfortable than it needed to be.

"The game was going nowhere, we had done the hard part in the first half, then a crazy mistake gave them a goal.

"It does feel close, promotion, that was our aim and ambition and now we’re one game away.

"But the players’ ears will be ringing from what I said at full-time. I had to tell them the truth: we have to be better than we were in the second half.”