Steve MacLean scored one and set up two others as Sheffield Wednesday made light work of Barnsley in the South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell.

MacLean set up goals for Wayne Andrews and Chris Brunt before capping a fine afternoon with a decisive third for the Owls.

Wednesday showed all the confidence of a team that has turned its attentions from the relegation battle to the play-offs in recent weeks.

Having dominated in midfield during the early exchanges, they took the lead with their first clear chance.

MacLean's ball found Andrews on the right wing and he cut inside before smashing a shot past Nick Colgan and into the centre of the net for his first goal of the season.

They nearly doubled the lead moments later when Chris Brunt's corner was met by Madjid Bougherra at the near post and his header clattered back off the crossbar before Bobby Hassell cleared the danger.

Barnsley then sprang forward as Daniel Nardiello raced down the left wing before cutting inside, but he took too long to get his shot away and Barnsley-born goalkeeper Mark Crossley smothered the ball.

Martin Devaney was getting in good crosses from the right for the hosts, but neither of his strikers attacked the ball.

At the other end, Andrews' pace was a constant menace for the Barnsley defence and Colgan did well to intercept the ball as he tried to race into the box on his own in the 27th minute.

Barnsley went close to an equaliser moments later when Grant McCann's curling free-kick from just outside the area bounced off the top of the crossbar.

There was another let off for Wednesday when Tommy Spurr spent too long on the ball and Nardiello nicked it off him, only for Andre Marriner to give the visitors a free-kick as Paul Hayes went to shoot.

The half ended with Wednesday on the attack again, but Brunt's free-kick was deflected over and Marcus Tudgay's header was too high from the resulting corner.

Barnsley showed more intent in the second half, and had an early chance when Hayes broke into the box from the left before the ball fell to McCann who fired just wide.

Kyel Reid then spread the ball to Devaney and his cross from the right missed Hayes but almost found the net at the far post. But Wednesday then delivered the sucker-punch with a quick break. MacLean won the ball in midfield and quickly picked out the run of Tudgay. His ball was perfectly-placed for the on-running Brunt who finished at the far post.

Nardiello sought an instant response but saw his shot deflected out for a corner.

Barnsley brought on former Wednesday man Leon Knight, but it was to no avail as they dug themselves in deeper with another defensive mistake.

Antony Kay was dispossessed by MacLean who ran in on goal to shoot under Colgan for Wednesday's third. At the other end, Nardiello fell under the challenge of Spurr but his dive was theatrical and the penalty claim was denied. Moments later, Frank Simek made an unorthodox but effective clearance off the line from Kay's header, and Barnsley knew it was not their day.

Wednesday were denied what would have been a fine fourth goal at the end as - after countless passes - Deon Burton's shot was saved from Tudgay's cross.

Teams:

Barnsley Colgan, Austin, Atkinson, Hassell,Williams (Tonge 87), Devaney, Kay, McCann,Kyel Reid (Knight 64), Hayes (Richards 71), Nardiello.

Subs Not Used: Letheren, Heckingbottom.

Booked: Kay.

Sheff Wed Crossley, Bullen, Simek, Bougherra, Spurr,Andrews (Burton 67), Whelan, Lunt, Brunt (O'Brien 83), Tudgay,MacLean (Folly 86).

Subs Not Used: Adamson, Coughlan.

Booked: Spurr.

Goals: Andrews 11, Brunt 60, MacLean 68.

Att: 21,253

Ref: A Marriner (W Midlands).