0-0
Sheff Utd 0
Reds 0
A fantastic South Yorkshire derby didn't have a fantastic scoreline to show for it - as Barnsley picked up a point and a clean sheet at Bramall Lane.
Both sides went for the jugular in the closing stages but the point was much more useful for the Reds with just two games to play.
There was simply no other way the game could start except in frantic fashion for what was the most eagerly-anticipated South Yorkshire derby in a while.
Both sides only had a sniff of goal with no real clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges. Both defences cleared dangerous crossed when required but Barnsley began to dominate possession and look a threat going forward as the clock approached 15 minutes.
Baptiste twice showed his decent range of passing as he picked out Sharp with a good diagonal ball but the striker couldn't control as he advanced into the box on 15 minutes.
A real chance opened up after a fantastic run by Fletcher down the left. He pulled back for Hammill to shoot and Long to save with the rebound cleared from under the nose of Isgrove inside the six-yard box.
The Blades responded after a good advantage from the referee allowed Sharp to steer at an open goal from a fumble by Davies but Roberts was on hand to clear the danger with 24 minutes gone.
Another good chance from Che Adams's vicious low drive forced Davies into a very smart stop low to his right - turning the ball onto the post.
The Reds had the ball in the net on 38 minutes but the referee had blown for a foul just as the ball crossed the line. Flynn was caught in possession inside his own area by Fletcher who tucked home but David Coote blew for a foul by Winnall.
Second half
For the second period the tackles continued to fly in - most of them firm but fair - although two bad challenges that stopped a Reds attack resulted in two yellows for Hammond and Done.
Billy Sharp was making a nuisance of himself and almost got on the end of deflected cross on 55 minutes but Davies made an easy claim.
A good move on 65 minutes started by Isgrove presented Hammill with the ball at his feet in the box, but the winger skewed a left-footed shot wide in front of the expecting travelling support.
At the other end former Red Matty Done pulled a tempting ball back in the area that just evaded Sharp who was poised to turn home on 68 minutes.
The game developed into a game of cat and mouse with neither side giving too much away. Sheffield United made the first change of the game with 73 gone, Cuvelier replacing Hammond.
Hammill made an opportunity for himself after drifting in from the left and letting fly from 30 yards. Long was scrambling away to his right but the ball sailed wide.
The game was heating up in the final six minutes and Conor Hourihane had to take one for the team as he cynically cleared Basham out on the wing, picking up a yellow card.
A brilliant break on 87 minutes saw Hammill charge forward and deliver for Fletcher but he could only flash a header wide when eight yards out.
The intent of Nigel Adkins was evident when he substituted Jay McEveley for Conor Sammon with two minutes to play.
A massive challenge from Marc Roberts prevented a certain winner for Conor Sammon as he came from nowhere to deny the striker from eight yards when one-on-one.
Barnsley's first change came deep in stoppage time as Ivan Toney replaced Ashley Fletcher.
Teams
Sheff Utd: Long, Basham, Flynn, Coutts, Sharp, Done (Woolford 83), McEveley (Sammon 88), Baptiste, Adams, Edgar, Hammond (Cuvelier 73).
Subs: Howard, Calvert-Lewin, McGahey, Whiteman.
Reds: Davies, G. Williams, Scowen, Mawson, Roberts, Brownhill, Hourihane, Isgrove, Hammill, Fletcher (Toney 90+2), Winnall.
Subs: Townsend, Nyatanga, Chapman, Toney, McCourt, Khan, Tuton.
Referee: David Coote
Att: 23,307 (3,694)
