John Curtis, on loan from Manchester United, grabbed the goal which sent
Manchester City spinning towards defeat against Barnsley at Oakwell.
The England Under-21 international cracked home a spectacular low shot on four
minutes to give the Tykes first blood as they revived their hopes of automatic
promotion.
Oakwell's biggest crowd since the stadium became all-seater were ecstatic at
their team's flying start but spirited City roared back as Jamie Pollock and
Mark Kennedy both fired over from long range.
But the visitors were undone again just before the break as Craig Hignett,
starting after a leg injury, latched onto an Eric Tinkler through ball to slot
past Weaver and double Barnsley's advantage.
City regrouped after the break and exerted frantic pressure in a bid to haul
themselves back into the game.
Danny Tiatto's cross only needed a touch, Steve Chettle diverted a goal-bound
effort and Kevin Miller had to smother at the feet of Goater in a testing
half-hour.
Barnsley's case for the defence held firm until four minutes from the end when
Goater stabbed a ball past Miller.
The home side must have feared another late smash-and-grab raid of the like
which cost them all three points at Sheffield United on Tuesday night.
But it should not have been so as Neil Shipperley wasted two good chances to
seal the points midway through the second half, snatching at a header which
drifted past the near post.
Dave Bassett's men clung on in a tense affair which could go a long way to
deciding where the Premiership places go at the end of the season.
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