Barnsley striker Ashley Ward proved to be the ghost of Derby's past as he gave new hope to Barnsley's dreams of a Premiership future.

Ward returned to haunt his old club by scoring a priceless 68th-minute winner and his fifth goal for the Tykes since leaving Derby in early September.

Ward's last game for the Rams was ironically against Danny Wilson's side as Derby won 1-0 at Pride Park - with the Barnsley boss having seen enough to part with £1.3million shortly after.

Wilson has often praised the 27-year-old as one of the hardest working players at the club and it was clear no-one wanted victory more than the former Manchester City, Leicester, Crewe and Norwich striker.

Ward, who spent just under two seasons at Derby, hassled and harried throughout the entire game, eventually claiming his and Barnsley's just reward with the vital strike to end Derby's five-match unbeaten run.

It was a delightfully worked goal as Clint Marcelle's backheel set left wing back Darren Barnard clear on the overlap and his cross was steered between the legs of Estonian international keeper Mart Poom at the near post.

There was unrestrained joy on his face as he ran to the touchline of the West Stand, both arms aloft and punching the air with delight, before being mobbed by his team mates.

However, there was controversy during the closing moments of Barnsley's much needed victory as Derby's central defender Dean Yates thought he had been given his marching orders by Surrey referee Graham Barber.

During the seven and a half minutes of injury time Yates headed for the tunnel after being booked for dissent, but was eventually ushered back before being given stern words by man in black Barber.

The yellow card stood but Yates' departure was premature and he eventually joined the fray again.

But Derby tempers were clearly on the rise as Italian striker Francesco Baiano was also booked for dissent, as well as midfielder Lee Carsley for kicking a ball away in frustration.

The trio of Derby bookings added to those in the 76th minute for Barnsley's Adie Moses and Derby striker Dean Sturridge, following a touchline flare up.

Sturridge appeared to kick out at Moses and this resulted in retaliation from the Barnsley defender, with virtually everybody from both dugouts leaping to their feet to separate the warring duo.

Barber again had strong words with both players before showing them the yellow cards, with Barnsley then forced into rearguard action in the closing minutes.

The closest Derby came to an equaliser was in the 88th minute when a Stefano Eranio right-wing cross found Sturridge. He had managed to get round the back of the Barnsley defence but his effort was superbly blocked at point blank range by keeper David Watson.

Watson was also called upon in the third minute, again to deny Sturridge, tipping over an acutely angled left foot chip.

Barnsley dominated for much of the game with skipper Neil Redfearn twice denied by the woodwork.

In the 13th minute a 25-yard right foot freekick smacked against the crossbar and, half an hour later, another superb right foot shot also crashed against the bar to prevent Barnsley's leading scorer adding to his eight goals this season.

Ward had been a constant thorn in the Derby defence during the game and in the 65th minute he had a chance to break the deadlock when he picked up on a Carsley mistake in midfield and powered his way into the Derby box before flashing a right foot shot inches past the right hand post.

Three minutes later he was not to be denied the goal he was so desperately craving.

Teams

Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Sheridan, Moses, De Zeeuw, Redfearn, Marcelle (Bullock 73), Tinkler, Hristov (Liddell 61), Barnard, Ward.

Subs Not Used: Appleby, Bosancic, Markstedt.

Booked: Moses.

Goals: Ward 67.

Derby: Poom, Rowett, C. Powell (Baiano 76), D. Powell, Yates, Sturridge, Wanchope (Burton 76), Willems, Laursen (Carbon 67), Carsley, Eranio.

Subs Not Used: Hoult, Solis.

Booked: Sturridge, Yates, Carsley, Baiano.

Att: 18,686

Ref: G P Barber (Pyrford)