A last minute equaliser from Andy Cook denies the Reds three points, as Barnsley draw 1-1 with Walsall at Oakwell.
In what was a tight and tense affair, Barnsley took the lead ten minutes in to the second half but couldn’t hold on, meaning they remain third in Sky Bet League One.
Walsall had the better of the opening exchanges and went very close when some neat work down the right hand side resulted in Morgan Ferrier meeting a cross with his head, forcing a smart save from Jack Walton in the Reds goal.
Despite not creating much early on, Barnsley might have had a penalty when it appeared new signing Mike-Steven Bähre was tripped inside the box, however referee Craig Hicks waved the German to his feet.
The weather conditions made it difficult for both sides as rain continued to pour down on to the Oakwell pitch seemingly affecting the quality of football from both sides in the opening 45.
Barnsley’s best chance came on the stroke of half time when Dani Pinillos’ long-range free kick was met by the head of Ethan Pinnock, forcing a smart save from Liam Roberts.
With neither side able to grasp total control of the game, the match was scoreless at half time.
Half Time: Reds 0-0 Walsall
The second half was a completely different contest and it took just ten minutes for the first goal of the game to arrive.
Having won a corner, Mamadou Thiam played the ball inside to Alex Mowatt who flicked it over the defender and crossed. That delivery was met by Victor Adeboyejo, who’s original shot was well saved by Roberts, however the ball hit Jack Fitzwater and creeped over the line to give the Reds the lead.
As Walsall committed men forward in search of an equaliser, the game became stretched. Stendel’s men began to find lots of chances on the break, the best falling to goalscorer Adeboyejo who was found with a square ball across the box by Kieffer Moore, but ultimately denied by another outstanding Liam Roberts save.
Despite their missed chances it looked as though the Reds had done enough to grab all three points, until substitute Andy Cook equalised for the Saddlers in the 89th minute.
Having made their way inside the area, George Dobson played it inside to Cook, who did well to turn his man and put the ball in the bottom corner.
The Reds almost regained the lead at the death when Roberts in the Walsall goal made yet another excellent save from a George Moncur strike.
Whilst Daniel Stendel will be disappointed to concede late on, the Reds remain undefeated this season and are still third in Sky Bet League One.
Full Time: Reds 1-1 Walsall
Walton, Cavare, Lindsay, Pinnock, Pinillos, McGeehan (Adeboyejo 45), Moncur, Mowatt, Bähre, Moore, Thiam.
