Leeds suffered their first defeat in eight games as Barnsley came from behind to earn a 3-2 victory in a thrilling Yorkshire derby at Oakwell.

Leading scorer Chris Wood put Leeds in front after 18 minutes, before a well-taken header from Tom Bradshaw and a superb Ryan Kent strike either side of half-time turned the match on its head.

A sublime free-kick from Aston Villa target Conor Hourihane on 54 minutes put further daylight between the Tykes and the visitors, who struggled to create any other openings.

Wood earned a controversial penalty, which he converted after 67 minutes, but the hosts held on for a deserved win, propelling themselves up to eighth in the Sky Bet Championship. Leeds remain in fourth.

Image: Conor Hourihane netted Barnsley's third from a free kick

The hosts started the game brightly, taking the game to their opponents but with little threat to Rob Green's goal.

Adam Armstrong's cross flashed across the six-yard box but was dealt with by the Whites defence. Moments later the striker's shot was blocked by the diving Luke Ayling.

Pablo Hernandez broke free down the right for Leeds but his lofted cross was headed behind by the returning Marc Roberts. From the resulting corner the visitors took the lead as Wood netted his 15th league goal of the season, making a run to the near post and flicking Hernandez's delivery past Adam Davies.

Wood then almost had his and Leeds' second but his close-range header was cleared off the line by the Barnsley defence.

Image: Ryan Kent (left) tussles with Lewis Coyle

After withstanding constant pressure since failing behind, Barnsley were almost back in the game through Roberts. The defender rose highest from Kent's free-kick but could not beat Green with a downward header.

The visitors had the chance to double their lead heading into the break, but Davies was out quickly to clear Kemar Roofe's through-ball off the boot of Wood.

The hosts went straight up the other end and levelled the game on the stroke of half-time through Bradshaw. The Welshman headed home into the far corner from Armstrong's cross.

Barnsley turned the game on its head and took the lead in the 48th minute. Kent received Marley Watkins's pass with his back to goal, turned and fired a low left-footed shot into the far corner past Green.

The home side had a third shortly after as Roofe tripped Josh Scowen, resulting in a free kick 25 yards out. Hourihane stepped up and bent the ball around the wall and past the outstretched Green.

Leeds were awarded a penalty when Roberts appeared to deflect the ball away from Wood with his hand. Replays showed the infringement took place outside the box. The striker converted the spot-kick nonetheless, sending Davies the wrong way and guiding the ball into the right corner.

Both sides had chances to give the game a sixth goal. Hourihane shot wide from inside the box, then a flurry of Leeds corners were scrambled away by the Barnsley defence.

Leeds could have drawn level in time added on but Roofe chested wide from four yards out after diving to reach Stuart Dallas' cross.