The Reds blew the chance to secure a play-off spot with a game to spare after being held for the fifth successive home game against a bright Bradford City outfit.
The Reds would have needed just a point from the game with relegated Walsall next weekend to secure a play-off spot had they won today as both Swansea and Nottingham Forest were also held. They now must better or at least match either Swansea or Forest's result next weekend to join the end of season lottery.
They had the chances though to mirror the result against the Bantams nine years ago and the club did everything behind the scenes to ensure it happened.
The players ran out to You'll Never Walk Alone ( the song played after Premiership promotion was clinched) and also introduced heroes John Hendrie and scorer of the first goal that glorious day, Paul Wilkinson as two of the four Oakwell Legends.
The players however failed to mirror the staff.
Marc Richards missed his obligatory open net and the players seemed too nervous.
Only the imperious Stephen McPhail and the excellent Martin Devaney seemed to have their nerves under control with Richards woeful and Dale Tonge's lack of match fitness cruelly exposed.
Devaney sent in a stream of excellent crosses in the first half yet neither Hayes or Richards challenged for them sufficiently and although The Reds didn't play badly they didn't play well enough to beat a Bradford side that although with nothing to play for still made it an entertaining Yorkshire derby played in front of Oakwell's third highest attendance of the season - 11,178.
Richards was inevitably the main culprit and why Andy Ritchie keeps selecting him totally baffles me, he doesn't compete for the high balls, fails to chase balls and misses crucial chances.
As well as missing the open net when presented the chance by a McPhail pass, he also failed to show sufficient pace and touch to flick the ball over advancing keeper Donovan Ricketts after a superb ball over the top of the Bradford defence from Brian Howard presented him with the chance.
He saved his worse miss though for the 58th minute.
Hayes' wonderful flick sent him past the last defender and up to the penalty spot where he left the ball for Richards to surely burst the net. Unfortunately not he smacked the ball straight against the leg of Ricketts ( an effort that left Ricketts in uncomfortable pain for quite some time)
It was a gilt-edged chance that could have secured Barnsley's play-off place.
Paul Hayes did head in after 72 minutes but the jubilant fans were instantly muted as the linesman had his flag raised for offside.
Despite forcing 15 corners that was the closest The Reds came until deep into stoppage time when Lewis Emmanuel stopped Hayes' cross with his arm. The incident looked to have happened inside the area but referee Eddie Ilderton, who it has to be said had a good game, gave a free-kick right on the edge of the area. Nardiello swung it in and it was goal-bound until a smart saving header turned it over for a corner.
Although Bradford didn't create too many scoring opportunities, when they did they were good ones as Dean Windass and Danny Cadamarteri worked well together, although Windass seemed subdued.
And they very nearly took the lead with their first meaningful chance after 38 minutes as Mark Bower rattled Player of the Year Nick Colgan's bar with a header from Bobby Petta's cross and Windass follow up header was turned over by Colgan.
Overall though a FIFTH successive home draw is another 2 points dropped and means we will be sweating up until 5pm next Saturday. A better result than either Swansea or Nottingham Forest will do it, question is with just 1 win in 11 can we get that better result????
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Announced as the Player of the Year before the game and apart from saving one Windass effort it was a very comfortable 19h clean sheet of the season. 7
Dale Tonge: First appearance since January and looked quite rusty, cant fault him for effort though. 6
Antony Kay: Dealt with Windass superbly in the air although was caught out a little when balls were played on the floor. 7
Bobby Hassell: Great to see him back, and was excellent! 8
Paul Heckingbottom: Exposed a little defensively but looked good going forward. 7
Martin Devaney: Said many of time he's hardly sublime or shocking. Was sublime today! Like in the Cup replay he tormented the Bradford defence but lacked a scoring touch. 8
Stephen McPhail: His passing, movement and vision was immaculate. One instance in the first half EVERYBODY thought he would pump the ball in the cross but instead played a pass to the unmarked Shuker, EXCELLENT!. 10
Brain Howard: Tried to drive the team forward as best he could, his passion his unquenchable. 7
Chris Shuker: Wasn't as bright as he can be but his endeavour can never be questioned. Subbed. 6
Paul Hayes: Worked hard but his scoring touch has deserted him on this run of 1 goal in 21 games. Booked. 7
Marc Richards: I cant give him constructive criticism in this state of mind so I wont speak about him. Subbed. 1
Substitutes:
Daniel Nardiello ( for Shuker 72): Went close with a free-kick but couldn't change the tide. 6
Tommy Wright ( for Richards 72) Joined Nardiello as a new look strike force for the final 18 minutes but his tally of just 1 scrappy goal for the club tells its own story. 6
Unused Substitutes: Scott Flinders, Anthony McParland, Nicky Wroe
Sponsors Man of the Match: Stephen McPhail
Barnsley Boy's Man of the Match: No arguments with the sponsors he did NOTHING wrong, probably his best performance in a Red shirt.
Most Impressed By Bradford's: Bobby Petta. Until a sickening clash with Devaney left him with a bloody nose he looked extremely lively. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson also impressed in the middle of the park.
Coca Cola League One results Saturday 29h April 2006.
Barnsley 0-0 Bradford
Brentford 1-1 Hartlepool
Bristol City 1-1 Swindon
Colchester 2-0 Rotherham
Doncaster 1-0 Oldham
Gillingham 0-1 Walsall
Huddersfield 1-2 Yeovil
Milton Keynes Dons 1-2 Tranmere
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bournemouth
Port Vale 3-1 Chesterfield
Scunthorpe 1-0 Blackpool
Swansea 2-2 Southend
Barnsley lie in 5th place in League One with 68 points from 45 games. We are in the Play-Offs by 1 point , 9 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 10 points off First Place and 20 points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Ups & Downs:
Southend's draw with Swansea was enough to secure back-back promotions after Brentford's failure to beat Hartlepool, whilst Swindon's failure to defeat Bristol City saw them join Walsall in League Two.
Promoted:
Southend
One from Colchester or Brentford
Play-Offs:
1 from Colchester or Brentford
Huddersfield
2 from Barnsley, Swansea, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster and Bristol City.
Relegated:
Walsall
Swindon
2 from Blackpool, Rotherham, Hartlepool and Milton Keynes Dons.
The Reds need to better or equal either Swansea or Nottingham Forest's result next weekend to secure a play-off place. If The Reds lose or draw and both Swansea and Forest win then the Reds will miss out.
Last Game of the Season:
Walsall (Away) Saturday 6th May 2006
Tickets:
Purchased before Day of Game:
Adults: £16
Juveniles (Aged 16 and under) £10
OAPS: £10
Purchased At Turnstiles:
Adults: £18
Juveniles (Aged 16 and under) £12
OAPS: £12.
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to the Bescot Stadium
Tickets: £12.
The coach departs Oakwell at 11am on the day of the game.
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