Joe Ledley gave the Welsh side an early lead in the ninth minute and then Barnsley proceeded to dominate possession without ever really threatening (abit like this season really). The one big chance arrived at ironically about the same time as the goal against Chelsea. Odejayi was sent racing clear, one on one with Cardiff keeper Peter Enckleman but somehow smashed his shot into the side-netting. It was a moment that ended the cup run. To rub salt into the wounds, Championship results the previous day had dropped The Reds into the drop zone.
Such is the bizaare nature of football and Barnsley F.C, just three days later Odejayi was the hero as he scored twice (for his first league goals since the previous September) as The Reds thumped promotion chasing Watford 3-0 at Vicarage Road. Stephen Foster was also on target as Barnsley got only their second away win.
Two away wins became three less than 72 hours later as Barnsley won 2-1 at Preston. A Diego Leon free-kick and Jon Macken penalty lifted Barnsley up to 17th.
With three of the remaining four games of the season at home it appeared Barnsley had survival in their own hands, but as we all know that is never usually a good idea, and so it proved. First of all a rampant Hull came to Oakwell and won 3-1 live on SKY with just a last minute Istvan Ferenczi strike as consolation and then relegation rivals Leicester City came to South Yorkshire and for the second season running poached the points in a 1-0 win. Somebody called Iain Hume got the goal.
It meant Barnsley had to beat either Charlton at home or Cardiff away on the last day to ensure survival and the vist of a Charlton side clearly already on their holidays helped. Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Lewin Nyatanga and Jon Macken scored as The Reds coasted to a 3-0 victory.
W: 3 D: 0 L: 3 F:9 A: 6 Points: 9 League Pos: 17th
May:
It rendered the final day 3-0 humbling at Cardiff irrelevant and Barnsley finished the 2007-2008 season 18th, three points clear of the drop zone. A far cry from the joys of being fourth in October.
W:0 D:0 L:0 F:0 A:1 Points: 0 League Pos: 18th