HELIK STRIKES AT THE DEATH TO SINK TOWN

Defender’s double breaks Terriers’ hearts

- Chris Dunlavy

BARNSLEY manager Valerien Ismael hailed unlikely hero Michal Helik after the defender’s last-gasp strike broke Huddersfield hearts.

Trailing to Rarmani Edmonds-Green’s first-ever goal for the Terriers, Barnsley levelled when Helik headed in via the crossbar.

And just when a grisly second half appeared to be grinding to a halt, Helik pounced on a Mads Andersen flick to send the Tykes up to 10th in the Championship.

The Pole now has three goals in 18 matches and his brace capped an assured display in the centre of Barnsley’s back three.

“I am overjoyed for Michal, and by his performance,” said Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael, who greeted Helik’s winner with a headlong charge on to the Oakwell pitch.

“For him, it was not too easy to change country. Another culture, another language, a difficult division. He is a young guy who needed to adapt, but now you see he is improving every game.