The Reds would play five games in the final month of 2009 and not lose any of them. They got the perfect tonic to the devastation of Home Park by ending Blackpool’s unbeaten home record at the start of December, scoring twice in the last five minutes to seal a 2-1 win. They then drew their next three matches, although whilst a 1-1 home draw with Scunthorpe could be classed as disappointing, the excellent 2-2 draw with Newcastle and 1-1 stalemate at Crystal Palace were highly credible results. Indeed the draw with Newcastle ended the Toon’s winning run which beforehand stood at seven in a row.
Barnsley then ended a year on a winning note for the first time since 2002. Second half goals from Stephen Foster and Hugo Colace helping The Reds come from behind to defeat Middlesbrough 2-1 at Oakwell.
P: 5 W: 2 D: 3 L: 0 F: 8 A: 7 Points: 9 Pos: 15th