Barnsley were denied all three points at the death in a keenly-contested clash with Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday evening.
Randell Williams’ last gasp equaliser ensured the spoils were shared on a frustrating evening for the Reds, who had established a two-goal lead through John McAtee and Donovan Pines.
But the pendulum swung once Victor Adeboyejo netted on his return to Oakwell, and the Trotters snatched a draw in added time when Williams reacted quickest after Liam Roberts had saved Josh Sheehan’s penalty.
The result sees us remain fourth in Sky Bet League One – two places and three points behind Bolton, with a game in hand heading into the final couple of months of what is set to be a thrilling campaign.
As you’d expect in a top of the table clash with both sides battling to secure an automatic promotion spot when the season draws to a close in April, it was a tense opening period as we got to grips with one another.
The visitors enjoyed a healthy amount of possession without really threatening Roberts’ goal, while the Reds searched for opportunities on the counter-attack to expose Wanderers’ high line.
Luca Connell took aim from distance as we registered the first attempt on goal, while Jordan Williams had to be alert and showed incredible athleticism to clear the ball off the line midway through the first half.
It would prove to be a decisive moment as Barnsley took one of the half’s few chances minutes later. Maël de Gevigney pressed George Thomason and forced the Bolton midfielder into a mistake, with the ball ricocheting into the path of John McAtee, who calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
The Trotters again resumed control of the encounter but couldn’t find a way through a resolute Reds backline, and we looked more likely to double our advantage as Devante Cole stretched to connect with a couple of crosses but missed by fractions.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
That second goal arrived within two minutes of the restart as Bolton failed to deal with Connell’s inswinging corner, and the ball fell to the feet of Pines who lashed a thunderous attempt in off the underside of the crossbar to a crescendo of noise inside Oakwell.
Sparked into life, Wanderers searched for a response and came close twice in a matter of seconds as Thomason – trying to atone for his earlier error – forced a save from Roberts before Dempsey’s follow-up was blocked by Nicky Cadden.
The visitors’ pressure eventually told, however, when Aaron Collins surged down the right flank and fired a low ball across the face of goal for Adeboyejo to tap in from point blank range.
Collins then took it upon himself to slalom beyond a few challenges, darting through the middle of the pitch, and tried his luck from 20-yards, but Roberts was able to comfortably gather his fizzing effort.
Bolton continued to press for an equaliser, and they thought they’d made that breakthrough when Cameron Jerome’s header deflected wide and into the side netting with five minutes remaining.
They came closer still, laying siege to the Reds’ goal, with Jón Daði Böðvarsson striking the upright before Dempsey was denied by a stunning Roberts save at his near post as eight minutes of additional time were indicated by the officials.
Roberts produced more heroics soon after, thwarting Paris Maghoma after the Wanderers substitute had burst into the area.
With time ticking away, though, Bolton were awarded a penalty, allegedly for a foul by Josh Earl. Up stepped Sheehan, who saw his spot-kick saved by the magnificent Roberts, but Williams was on hand to slam home the rebound to snatch a share of the spoils.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 2-2 Bolton Wanderers
REDS XI: Roberts (GK), Williams (C), de Gevigney, Pines, Earl, Cadden (O’Keeffe, 68), Connell, Phillips (Cotter, 84), Kane, McAtee (Grant, 68), Cole (Cosgrove, 90+4).
Not used: Killip (GK), McCart, Russell.
BOLTON XI: Coleman (GK), Jones, Thomason, Santos (C), Sheehan, Dacres-Cogley (Iredale, 51), Adeboyejo (Jerome, 79), Ogbeta (Williams, 70), Toal, Dempsey (Maghoma, 70), Collins (Böðvarsson, 79).
Not used: Forrester, Morley.
