Reds 0
Preston 1 (Garner 36)
Facing one of the biggest tests of their unbeaten run today, the Reds started the game well and appeared to be on the front foot in the opening minutes.
After five minutes the Reds were awarded a free-kick around 20 yards from goal after George Waring was fouled.
Taken by John O'Sullivan on his final appearance for the Reds, his low shot rebounded off the wall and the ball found its way back to the centre of the pitch.
Cameron Stewart on his debut created next chance, whipping in an excellent cross after some fine skill.
Forcing Preston into conceding a corner, the resulting delivery was met by Sam Winnall but his header went wide of the goal.
Desperately looking for a goal on his final Barnsley appearance, O'Sullivan then hit the post from 25 yards with around 10 minutes played.
Preston did not fade away however and the visitors should have taken the lead when Joe Garner chested down a cross from the left but Adam Davies in the Barnsley goal pulled off a fantastic save to deny the attacker.
Right back down the other end, Hourihane whipped in a good free-kick to the far post and Martin Cranie looked as though he was going to get a tap-in but the Reds captain could not find the goal.
Adam Davies continued to impress in the Barnsley goal and on the half-hour mark he pulled off two good saves, one after the other, from a Preston corner.
After a strong period of play from Barnsley, Preston took the lead on 36 minutes through top scorer Joe Garner.
The attacker found the loose ball and prodded home after the Reds defence failed to clear it following a corner.
Reds: Davies, Holgate, Cranie (C), Nyatanga, John, Waring, Winnall, Hourihane, O'Sullivan, Bailey, Stewart.
Subs: Dibblle, M'Voto, Ibehre, Smith, Berry, Hemmings, Jennings.
Preston North End: Johnstone, Laird, Clarke, Wright, Beckford, Gallagher, Garner, Welsh, Huntington, Johnson, Robinson.
Subs: Stuckmann, Humphrey, Kilkenny, Davies, Woods, Little, Ebanks-Blake.
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
