Barnsley were held to a 0-0 draw by Cheltenham Town in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon.

Despite dominating possession and registering 18 shots throughout the encounter, the Reds were left frustrated by a dogged and resolute visiting backline.

We started the contest brightly and had the ball in the back of the net inside three minutes through Jon Russell, only to be denied by the official’s raised flag for offside.

Nicky Cadden and John McAtee also came close in a promising opening period as the Reds looked to assert themselves on their relegation-threatened opponents.

Our early dominance nearly told when Jamie McCart rose highest to meet a corner at the back post, but his header was expertly saved down to his left by Robins goalkeeper Luke Southwood.

The visitors gradually began to grow into the match and had brief ventures into our half without really troubling Liam Roberts, with Barnsley enjoying large spells of possession.

Southwood was again called into action shortly before half-time as Cadden took aim from range following a free-kick routine, but the Cheltenham stopper was on hand to parry a fierce drive wide of the target.

Just before the break, Lewis Freestone threatened to make the most of a rare chance for the Robins, but his header was well kept out by Roberts.

HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0-0 Cheltenham Town

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Barnsley dominating proceedings but unable to make that crucial breakthrough.

Just after the interval, Russell came close once more with a poked effort, while Sam Cosgrove narrowly over hit a pass for McAtee as we searched for a way through.

We then squandered a glorious chance at a breakaway as Adam Phillips’ put too much on a through ball for Cosgrove, which gave Southwood opportunity to hack clear from 30-yards.

The Reds continued to press forward, and substitute Devante Cole was picked out superbly by Phillips, but he could only steer his diving header wide of the post.

Aiden Marsh, introduced for the last 10 minutes, lashed a half-volley over the bar and Corey O’Keeffe tested Southwood with a curling free-kick as we entered additional time.

Try as we might, we couldn’t find the goal that our attacking endeavours deserved and had to settle for a point.

FULL-TIME: Barnsley 0-0 Cheltenham Town

REDS XI: Roberts (GK), O’Keeffe, de Gevigney, McCart (Williams, 80), Earl, Cadden (Cotter, 80), Russell (Grant, 71), Phillips, Connell (C), McAtee (Marsh, 80), Cosgrove (Cole, 57).

Unused subs: Killip (GK), Benson.

ROBINS XI: Southwood (GK), Long (C), Smith (Bradbury, 64), Freestone, Kinsella, Keena (Nuttall, 73), Ferry, Lloyd, Sloggett (Bonds, 64), Davies, Pett (Thomas, 74).

Unused subs: Pardington (GK), Sercombe, Harrop.