PHIL Parkinson urged his side to stay positive after finally escaping the bottom three of the Championship.

A 3-1 win over Barnsley took Wanderers out of the relegation zone for the first time since August, although Birmingham City could change that if they get a point against Wolves on Monday night.

Gary Madine scored twice in the first half, first from close range and then from a penalty, either side of another spot kick from Tom Bradshaw.

Mark Little virtuoso effort secured the points and gave Parkinson a late 50th birthday present.

“I’m really pleased – we showed character today,” he said after the final whistle. “Last time here we were 2-0 and drew, getting beat last week at Wolves and here, conceding right after going 1-0 up. There were a lot of aspect where we had to stand strong as a team. I’m delighted with the win.

“It’s a huge boost for us, one defeat in nine, unbeaten in five at home, and we are starting to build some momentum.

“It’s good to see the table. I only had a quick glance at it but we’ve got to keep that belief. We need to keep our full-backs driving forward at every opportunity because we look like we can create and score goals.”

Wanderers took the lead 20 minutes in when Little embarked on a powerful run down the right and his near-post cross was poked home by Madine.

Less than 60 seconds later Barnsley dragged themselves level from the penalty spot. Tom Bradshaw was sent sprawling by Reece Burke but picked himself up to drive home the equaliser.

Will Buckley had penalty appeal turned down by referee Oliver Langford when it seemed he was wrestled down by Jason McCarthy on the left side of the box.

The winger, back in the team after injury, got his just reward, however, as he won a 39th minute spot kick after a foul by Liam Lindsay.

Madine made no mistake, rolling the ball straight down the middle to take himself to six for the season.

Wanderers had to live on their nerves at times during the second half, with Ben Alnwick called upon to make some key saves.

But when Little produced a third goal – surging through three would-be tackles to drill a shot into the bottom corner – the club finally rose out of the bottom three in the live league table.

Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom was pragmatic in his side's fourth straight defeat, insisting they were instrumental in their own downfall.

“You get what you deserve,” he said. “The reason we haven’t got anything is that the three goals we gave away were shocking. Bolton will be delighted, of course they will, but we have had 13 chances alone in the second half, six of which were on target, and missed them. That’s why we’ve lost.

“Wasteful at one end and a little bit naïve at the other end conceding them.”