Barnsley U23s maintained their run of fine form as they drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Friday afternoon.
The young Reds have now lost just once in their last nine Professional Development League games as they held a physical Forest side at the Oakwell Training Ground.
Chances were few and far between with the visitors coming closest in the first half when Jake Taylor unleashed a fierce drive from distance that whistled past Jake Greatorex’ upright.
However, Barnsley looked dangerous from set-pieces and almost broke the deadlock when Sam Fielding climbed highest to meet a Jordan Barnett free-kick, but the ball skimmed off the top of his head and out for a goal kick.
The hosts looked much brighter after the restart and took the lead when Forest failed to clear Barnett’s corner. The ball pinballed around inside the six-yard area and eventually ricocheted into the net via a visiting shin pad following an almighty goalmouth scramble.
With the wind at their backs, Barnsley continued to push forward for a second goal and were almost rewarded when Mateo Aramburu raced clear down the left flank. The Uruguayan forward played a precision pass across the face of goal, but Jordan Williams was unable to turn the ball home under pressure from Ethan Stewart.
It would prove to be a pivotal moment in the game and Forest looked to take full advantage of that narrow escape. First, Arvin Appiah cut in from the right and curled a fizzing shot that bent inches wide of the far post, before Taylor drilled a low cross through a forest of legs that no one could turn home.
But the visitors wouldn’t be kept at bay as Victor Sodeinde, introduced just before the hour mark, burst into the area and crashed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net to level ten minutes from time.
Barnsley pressed forward for a late winner, with the best chance falling to Amir Berkovits who saw his half volley brilliantly blocked as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.
REDS XI: Greatorex, Helliwell, Fielding, Moon, Barnett, Williams, Wardle, Bird, Chisholm, Simoes (Berkovits, 83), Aramburu (Feeney, 71).
Not used: Kendrick, Simpson, Walsh.
FOREST XI: Bossin, Richardson, Barnes (Fornah, 71), Coveney (Sodeinde, 58), Lawrence-Gabriel, Stewart, Taylor, Johnson, En-Neyah, Appiah, Hayes (Kadded, 56).
Not used: Wright, Megaritis.
