Barnsley's took the lead after eight minutes when Mike Sheron’s knock down gave Bruce Dyer half a chance and the in-form striker used his strength to brush past a couple of defenders before driving the ball under the Tranmere keeper for his 16th goal of the season.
The visitors then proceeded to dominate the rest of the first half as the Reds once again sat back and defended far too deep. The Reds cause wasn’t helped by captain Mitch Ward having to be stretchered off with an an ankle injury after 19 minutes. The ineffectual Lee Crooks replaced Ward in midfield.
Tranmere created very few worthwhile clear chances despite their possession although it took a great reflex save by Matt Ghent to deny Gareth Roberts who perhaps should have converted Shane Nicholson's freekick after half an hour.
Three minutes into the second half, Neil Austin pulled back a Tranmere player and a penalty was correctly though a little harshly awarded. However, Ghent saved Shane Nicholson's effort and while the Reds players congratulated the young keeper on his home debut, Danson, on the advice of his assistant, ordered the penalty to be retaken. Ghent was adjudged to have moved too early and Nicholson squeezed his shot under the former Forest Green keeper to level the match.
The injustice provoked Barnsley into playing their best football of the match and the Reds looked the more likely winners until the final whistle. Kevin Betsy replaced David Mulligan ten minutes into the second half and slotted into an attacking 4-3-3 formation.
Sheron’s glancing header just after the hour was possibly the best chance after Betsy and Dyer combined well. Antony Kay and Crooks also headed wide late in the game.
So another point toward safety against a very average looking Tranmere team in play-off contention. The fussy Mr Danson was surely the worst referee down at Oakwell this season mysteriously blowing the whistle every couple of minutes.
As for the Barnsley players, Ghent got the official MOTM award - did little wrong and his kicking was fine especially when our defence realised he was left footed. Alex Neil must have run him close with a tenacious display against the big Tranmere players while Neil Austin also got in many vital tackles.
On the downside, Dave Mulligan is not a left back, Lee Crooks is not a midfielder and Kevin Donovan who somehow remained on the field for 90 minutes is barely a footballer. Why did Kevin Betsy start on the bench again when his runs scare the opposition to death and give Sheron and Dyer the support they so badly need up front? Why not play Crooks at centreback and move Kay to midfield?