DAVID McGoldrick’s fifteenth goal of the season rescued a late point for Barnsley from a 1-1 draw just as it looked like they were going to suffer defeat at Burton Albion.
Trailing to Charlie Webster’s strike on the hour mark it was left to Barnsley’s leading marksman to secure a fourth draw in five games as their winless run continues.
The Tykes showed four changes to the side that lost at Oakwell against Doncaster last time out. With Owen Goodman unavailable after international duty there was a first league start of the season for Kieren Flavell with Mael De Gevigney also coming back into defence. Vimal Yoganathan came in for Adam Phillips whilst Tom Bradshaw returned to spearhead the attack.
Burton kicked off with three former Reds in their side, Brad Collins in goal, Jasper Moon at the back and Kyran Lofthouse on the right-hand side. Another former Tyke, Toby Sibbick was on the Albion bench.
Barnsley quickly had the first chance of the game inside the opening ninety seconds, Bradshaw diverting a low shot from David McGoldrick towards the bottom corner only for Collins, going the wrong way to readjust and save.
Conor Hourihane was forced into an early defensive change, Eoghan O’Connell coming off second best in an aerial challenge with Jake Beesley and having to be replaced by Jonathan Bland.
Barnsley looked lively with their fluid attack and McGoldrick put a chance over the bar after good work from Luca Connell.
Burton threatened through a Beesley header before Flavell had to awkwardly push a Jack Armer effort away with Tennai Watson on hand to clear the danger.
Swift break just before half time saw McGoldrick cross for Bradshaw but the striker could not quite steer a header on target and De Gevigney met a Connell free kick but could not beat Collins.
Albion’s second half pressure eventually told on the hour mark as Lofthouse capitalised on a kind bounce to burst into the box before squaring for Webster to sweep home.
Hourihane rang the changes with the introduction of Reyes Cleary and Adam Phillips for Scott Banks and Patrick Kelly before a bloodied De Gevigney was forced off, replaced by Marc Roberts. Leo Farrell also replacing Tennai Watson in a last throw of the dice for Barnsley.
But as the game ticked into the ninetieth minute up popped McGoldrick to convert after Roberts had headed a free kick back into the danger area.
Barnsley (4-4-2): Flavell; Watson (Farrell, 74), De Gevigney (Roberts, 74), O’Connell (Bland, 7), Shepherd; Connell, Yoganathan; Banks (Cleary, 63), McGoldrick, Kelly (Phillips, 63); Bradshaw
Unused: Flinders, Lennon.
Yellow cards: Connell, Farrell, Roberts.
Goals: McGoldrick (90)
Burton (3-4-1-2): Collins; Godwin-Malife, Moon, Hartridge; Lofthouse, Krubally (Webster, 46), Williams, Armer; Cannon (McKiernan, 80); Beesley, Shade (Adom, 80).
Unused: Dudek, Vancooten, Sibbick, Larsson.
Yellow cards: Hartridge
Goals: Webster (60)
Attendance: 4,203
