New signing Jon Macken celebrated his return to Barnsley by bagging the only goal of the game as the Tykes returned to winning ways against Coca-Cola Championship opponents Colchester.

Macken's strike in first-half stoppage time clinched Barnsley's first league win in nine matches against the Us, but his new side made hard work of it against the division's bottom club.

The former Manchester City striker, signed on a permanent basis yesterday for an undisclosed fee from Derby, rifled home a loose ball 12 yards out, low into the bottom corner.

It was his fourth goal in three appearances for Barnsley after endearing himself to the home faithful with three in the last two games of his loan spell in December.

But Barnsley's long-awaited win was as much down to goalkeeper Heinz Muller as it was Macken's solitary strike, with the big German providing more heroics for Simon Davey's side despite sustaining a debilitating knee injury in the first period.

Tykes manager Davey was looking for his side to get their season back on track with a first win in nine league matches, but it was Geraint Williams' strugglers who created the better goalscoring chances.

Muller injured himself when rescuing his side with one of several key saves, but struggled gamely on for the full 90 minutes.

Colchester went close to taking an eighth-minute lead when Mark Yeates' fine cross was met with a towering header from Clive Platt that flew inches wide.

Barnsley had to wait until the 12th minute before they first threatened from successive corners, but relied on Muller to prevent the visitors taking the lead.

The highly-rated goalkeeper first kept out Luke Guttridge's powerful drive and required several minutes' treatment after hurting himself when blocking the subsequent corner.

Referee Nigel Miller infuriated the home crowd on the half-hour mark when he deemed Barnsley skipper Brian Howard had dived when nearly all of Oakwell felt a penalty was in order following Phil Ifil's challenge.

Muller was again at his best to keep out a thumping low shot from Ifil in the 33rd minute before Macken struck in the time added on by referee Miller for Muller's treatment.

Muller hobbled out for the restart and in the 57th minute watched as Kevin Lisbie's shot beat him only to roll agonisingly wide.

Barnsley midfielder Diego Leon, a free signing from Grasshoppers Zurich before Christmas, settled into his rhythm after the break and from his telling cross Stephen Foster headed wide in the 65th minute.

Home defender Tininho, on loan from West Brom, then blazed wide from the edge of the penalty area after marauding down the left.

But with just a one-goal advantage Barnsley supporters had good reason to feel anxious, with Muller pulling off another outstanding save to keep out Adam Virgo's stinging volley in the 71st minute.

Leon scampered forward to fire an angled shot high and wide soon after, before the home bench breathed a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle.

Teams:

Barnsley Muller, Van Homoet, Foster, Souza, Hassell,Campbell-Ryce (Odejayi 90), Leon, Howard, Tininho, Macken,Nardiello (Ferenczi 73).

Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Togwell, Coulson.

Booked: Howard.

Goals: Macken 45.

Colchester Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, Virgo, White, Yeates (Guy 61),Izzet, Guttridge (Sheringham 79), Jackson, Platt, Lisbie.

Subs Not Used: Cousins, Balogh, Granville.

Att: 9,246

Ref: Nigel Miller (Durham).