stormed four points clear at the top of the English First Division.

City, unbeaten now in 10 matches and playing in front of a home crowd of 32,692, were on their way to their eighth successive home victory, after going 2-0 up inside the first 10 minutes.

After Goater had a shot sensationally blocked by goalkeeper Kevin Miller and then hooked over the bar by Miller as he lay on the ground, the Bermudian striker scored from the resulting corner as his angled header flashed past Miller.

It could have been worst two minutes later when Goater picked up a bad backpass, took the ball around the 'keeper outside the box but found the angle too tight and saw his shot scrambled behind.

After Barnsley pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, City put the game beyond the visitors as Goater had a hand in a brilliant third goal in the 73rd minute.

Goater's backheel released Jeff Whitley and following his measured pass from Kevin Horlock lashed a fine 20-yarder wide of Miller's despairing dive.

City meet another promotion contender on Saturday when they entertain third-placed Huddersfield.

Kyle Lightbourne kept his starting place in the Stoke City team as new manager Gudjon Thordarson started his reign with a 4-0 away win over Wycombe on Tuesday.

Lightbourne did some fine work to set up Stoke's third goal in the 62nd minute before eventually being substituted in the 74th minute. He was also one of four Stoke players booked, receiving the yellow card in the 30th minute.