The spoils were shared on Boxing Day in Lancashire as the Reds were pegged back by Accrington Stanley in Sky Bet League One.

James Norwood's early opener was cancelled out by a second-half penalty converted by Tommy Leigh, after a shot was alledged to have struck the arm of Liam Kitching in the area.

It was the Reds who had the first sight on goal, with Adam Phillips firing a thunderous strike from outside the area which found the face of Harvey Rodgers and lead to a short delay in proceedings as the Accrington man received some treatment.

The Reds took the lead in the 7th minute after a break away. Jordan Williams was found on the right hand side, and after advancing down the line played the ball inside to Phillips. The former Accrington loanee whipped a wicked, low ball into the area where Norwood flicked home with aplomb past Toby Savin in the Accrington goal.

Phillips almost found himself on the scoresheet, striking twice just seconds apart. The first effort was a rasping half volley that look destined to trouble Savin, but an Accrington defender got something in the way to prevent the Reds doubling their lead. The second effort came just seconds later, with Phillips attempting a Van Basten-esque strike from the left which whistled past the post.

The hosts had a golden chance to equalise just before the half-hour mark, with the unmarked Joe Pritchard heading into the arms of Brad Collins from close range.

Phillips continued to keep the Accrington 'keeper busy, firing a speculative effort goalwards that nearly caught out Savin at his near post just before the break.

HALF-TIME: Accrington Stanley 0-1 Barnsley 

With Luca Connell on a yellow card going into the break, Michael Duff made a change prior to the start of the second period with Matty Wolfe being introduced to the fray in his replacement.

Robbie Cundy demonstrated great vision to find Nicky Cadden with a raking switch ball in the 48th minute, allowing the Scotsman to fire on goal from inside the area. However, Savin was equal to the effort, denying Cadden's maiden goal in a Reds shirt.

The hosts rolled the dice and turned to their bench shortly after, replacing centre half Baba Fernandes with striker, Leslie Adekoya. The frontman nearly made an instant impact, flicking on for Shaun Whalley who fired flashed an effort narrowly wide of Collins' post.

Accrington continued to grow into the game, and on the hour mark found themselves with a penalty. Whalley's shot was allegedly blocked by the arm of Liam Kitching, leading to referee Rebecca Welch to point to the spot. Leigh stepped up and dispatched the effort from 12 yards to into Brad Collins' bottom left-hand corner. 

Phillips kept knocking on the door, and should have put the Reds back in front with just over ten minutes to play. A ball around the corner from Cole allowed the 24-year-old to surge through the middle into the box, but his curling effort was well kept out by Savin.

The Reds produced a late onslaught in the dying minutes in an attempt to secure all three points, winning a flurry of corners in added time, but not being able to convert meaning the scores finished level.

FULL-TIME: Accrington Stanley 1- Reds

Collins (GK), Williams, Kitching, Andersen (c), Cadden, Kane, Norwood (Martin), Cundy, Phillips, Cole, Connell (Wolfe).

Unused: Walton (GK), Moon, Larkeche, Aitchison, Jalo.