Barnsley play-off hopes dashed at final Furlong

The Reds line-up was unchanged from the win over Rushden and started much brighter than the highflying Rangers.

So it was no surprise when after 22 minutes we took the lead from a David Murphy corner which eventually dropped to Reds skipper Craig Ireland to smash into the roof of the net.

The goal however seemed to spark the away side who won a succession of corners and these may have led to Marlon Beresford's back injury which meant he had to be substituted by youngster Daniel Alcock for his debut.

Sadly, the youngster soon gifted Rangers an equaliser by not coming out to claim the ball as Antony Kay tried to shield the ball back to the keeper. Kay inadvertently knocked the ball past Alcock as he eventually came out and the linesman flagged it had crossed the line. From my view in the Ponte end...It clearly DID NOT.

The Reds were clearly rattled and Rangers were winning the midfield battle but the sides reached half time on level terms.

Paul Hart's half time talk failed to change much and Rangers were much the better side in a niggly second half not helped by a picky referee. It seemed only a matter of time before QPR snatched the lead especially as Alcock was struggling with high balls and making dubious runs out of his goal. A couple of good saves by the young keeper didn't seem to help his confidence.

He eventually gifted Rangers a second after dropping a soft looking cross in the six yard box and Furlong scored from close range.

It looked all over for the Reds who created little with Kevin Betsy having a bit of a mare and Birch getting no service to speak of.

However, Daniel Nardiello came on for Alex Neil and surprising levelled on 85 minutes with a cool finish after a neat pass from Birch. The opposition were claiming offside.

The goal set up a frantic finish and amazingly the Reds took the lead with an excellent curling free kick from Murphy in the 88th minute. A minor pitch invasion seemed to indicate the Reds faint play-off hopes were back on as the board announced three minutes of injury time.

BUT.....it was three minutes too long as Rangers chucked everyone forward and agonisingly Furlong equalised with a deflected toe poke in the last minute...cue another minor pitch invasion from the away fans as the Reds play-off dream died.

Did we deserve the win? To be honest...no - but the dodgy equaliser still grates. So, roll on the derby games next season - Belle Vue here we come!