Barnsley v Nottingham Forest

Barnsley recorded their first draw since September to battle back from a goal down to draw 1 - 1 at home to Nottingham Forest.

Barnsley was poor in the first half and let Forest control the game. Neither keeper had much to do in the opening 20 to 25 minutes until an Andy Reid free kick tested Luke Steele who was able to save comfortably.

Barnsley`s best chance of the first half came when Matty Done, who was excellent throughout, found Goldbourne at the back stick but the recent signing failed to direct his header on target.

Shortly after that came the opening goal. McCleary, a threat throughout with his pace, shot at goal. His strike deflected off McNulty in to the bottom corner of the Barnsley goal.

Forest also hit the crossbar from a chaotic corner which McEveley and McNulty struggled to clear.

The half time whistle couldn`t come quick enough for the reds and when did arrive the team received a chorus of boos from the Oakwell faithful.

The second half was a different story as Barnsley improved on their drab first half display. This got the crowd going and created the atmosphere the players desperately needed.

The lively Done broke forward again. The ball found its way to Smith. But his strike was well blocked. But this was more encouraging from the home team.

Done then came close himself. He got on the end of an excellent ball from Michael Tonge only for his dink over Camp to go agonisingly wide.

Andy Gray was introduced at the expense of Jay McEveley with Craig Davies moving out wide from his central position.

Barnsley had a chance from a 20 yard free kick. Davies` effort was blocked with a suspicion of a Forest hand.

orest could then have put the game out of sight but Steele saved well down to his right from McCleary`s strike.

On 78 minutes Davies let fly with his weaker left foot from 20 yards to score Barnsley`s equaliser to beat Camp low to his right. The goal was reward for a good second half performance and was Davies` 11th of the season, set up by man of the match Done.

Barnsley then wasted a good opportunity from a free kick before Luke Steele pulled off an excellent save in stoppage time.

Barnsley were well worth a point in a game that could have gone either way but it was another performance of contrasting halves from the reds which has been a big feature throughout the season.

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