Pompey'S proud unbeaten run collapsed in spectacular style at Oakwell against rampant Barnsley.

Six goals conceded, two men sent off and just one direct shot on target makes dreadful news for Pompey fans, who had hoped to see their side go top of Division 1.

High-flying Pompey, third in the League at the start of play, travelled to South Yorkshire in search of their first win at Oakwell for ten years.

There was no starting place for Luke Nightingale, two-goal hero in mid-week against Torquay, omitted from the side looking to keep its fifth clean sheet from six starts in all competitions so far this season.

Barnsley, searching for a first home win of the season, started the better with Andy Petterson flipping a 25-yard effort from Mike Sheron around the post in the second minute. From the resulting corner, Van der Lann just failed to connect with a flick-on by Craig Hignett.

Dangerman Sheron again had Pompey's defence on edge in the sixth minute, firing in a low shot from just inside the area that Alan McLoughlin did well to block.

Under siege Pompey had to wait until the 23rd minute for their first shot, Rory Allen's effort deflecting off a home defender into the arms of new Barnsley signing Kevin Miller.

Pompey received a huge body blow through two incidents in the 24th minute, both involving Andy Awford. First he received a yellow card fol-lowing a foul on the edge of the area on Darren Barnard.

Seconds afterwards Awford's late tackle on Matt Appleby as the Barsnley man broke clear, left the referee with no alternative but to show the red card.

Five minutes later things went from bad to worse for Pompey. A two-footed tackle by Fitzroy Simpson on Kevin Richardson was deemed bad enough by the referee to merit a red card, reducing Alan Ball's team to nine men.

With Barnsley sensing their big opportunity, Sheron headed wide before producing a stinging drive that Petterson did well to tip away.

The inevitable eventually happened in the 43rd minute when ROBBIE VAN DER LANN put Barnsley 1-0 up, flicking home a cross to become only the second man to score against Portsmouth this season.

In first-half injury time Portsmouth achieved their first shot on goal, Whittingham slipping the ball through to Allen, who shot weakly at the Barnsley keeper.

Alan Ball began the second half by withdrawing Guy Whittingham in favour of Adam Newton, who immediately became the lone Pompey target man with Rory Allen dropping into mid-field.

Sheron took just a minute of the second half to set his sights on the Pompey goal, firing from 30 yards but straight at Petterson.

By now Pompey had resorted to speculative long-range efforts, Allen firing over with a volley from inside his own half. Then the flood-gates opened.

In the 56th minute DARREN BARNARD hit Barnsley's second with a shot from 20 yards. Four minutes later a deflected shot by Jones fell kindly for APPLEBY to blast the ball past the unguarded Petterson.

Then, in the 62nd minute, VAN DER LANN made it four, tapping home a cross from four yards out. By now it was becoming embarrassing for Pompey. Van der Lann and Appleby both missed straight-forward chances before MATT APPLEBY's drive from 20 yards made it 5-0 in the 76th minute. CRAIG HIGNETT then added his name to the score sheet, heading into an open goal following a flick-on from Bruce Dyer.

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