Barnsley 1 Bournemouth 1

Last updated : 17 January 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Barnsley are now in desperate need of a new striker after their play-off hopes received another setback when they were held at home by Bournemouth.

The goal-shy Tykes have been scouring the transfer market for the last three weeks but have so far been unable to land a proven target-man.

Their need for extra fire-power was perfectly underlined at Oakwell as they squandered numerous chances and twice hit the woodwork.

Following an injury to on-loan forward Jonathan Walters and the loss of form sustained by Isaiah Rankin, Barnsley boss Gudjon Thordarson decided to move midfielder Anthony Kay up front to partner top scorer Kevin Betsy.

Kay responded with a man of the match display - but he is not a natural striker and that was proved with two glaring misses in the opening 15 minutes.

The first chance came in the ninth minute when Alex Neil flicked Chris Lumsdon's cross on and Kay saw his close-range header turned around the post by Neil Moss.

Three minutes later Betsy's low ball in to the box gave Kay another chance for glory, but this time he blazed over from 12 yards.

Betsy himself squandered a close-range headed chance as Barnsley continued to create chances without finding a finish.

And it was Bournemouth who took the lead against the run of play after 31 minutes.

Lively striker Warren Feeney looked suspiciously offside when he picked up the ball wide on the right, but he scampered forward before delivering a terrific cross for James Hayter to head in from six yards.

Barnsley lost Neil Austin through injury and struggled to get their game going as the second half began, Kay did had a header disallowed for a push, before Neil saw his overhead kick pushed on to the post by Moss.

Barnsley's efforts were finally rewarded ten minutes from time when Lumsdon squeezed home Betsy's low cross.

Two minutes later Betsy himself got into the box but saw his shot come back off the post as honours finished even.