The sides played out a competitive fixture, with the visitors frustrating Becky Langley's side throughout. But Barker was on hand to land the knockout blow in the dying stages, moving Newcastle up to second place in the FA Women's National League Division One North, only behind Leeds United Women on goal difference.

The Lady Magpies had the first clear-cut chance with just six minutes on the clock, when Barker was found by Georgia Gibson in behind, but the striker's effort rebound agonisingly back off the post.

Another great move, this time involving Charlotte Potts, Lois Greenslade and Gibson resulted in the latter fizzing a dangerous cross to Lauren Robson, who saw her goalbound effort parried by Serena Clarke.

Langley's side continued to exert the early pressure, with Barker being denied twice more by Clarke in quick succession.

And Clarke again thwarted the number nine after Barker was unleashed once more by Gibson, making an instinctive reaction save to deny the striker.

Potts had another opportunity to give United the lead before the break - she headed over from a corner - as the sides went in locked at a stalemate.

The start of the second half was less action-packed than the first, with neither Grace Donnelly nor Clarke being strenuously tested.

As the match entered its final 20 minutes, it sprung back into life, with Gibson's free-kick stopped well by Clarke low to her right.

The visitors looked to threaten in the closing stages, but Emma Wallis did superbly to halt them in their tracks when the South Yorkshire side looked to break.

Langley's side continued to search for the winner in the closing moments, with the visitors standing firm.

But with 93 minutes on the clock, Barnsley's resilience was finally broken, with Barker latching onto Potts' long free-kick and lofting her effort over Clarke to send Druid Park into pandemonium.

The number nine celebrated with her team-mates and the Newcastle Women staff, as everyone inside the ground recognised the importance of the three points.

The Lady Magpies next travel to York City Ladies next Sunday, looking to further apply pressure on league leaders Leeds.

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly (c), Daisy Burt, Charlotte Potts, Emma Wallis, Keira Skelton, Beth Guy, Gillian Oyos, Lauren Robson (Becky Ferguson 71), Georgia Gibson, Lois Greenslade (Kacie Elson 46), Katie Barker

Subs not used: Jane Harland, Sharna Wilkinson, Amy Hargrave

Report by Joseph Nelson

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC