Barnsley 2 Hartlepool United 2

Last updated : 07 February 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Ten-man Barnsley produced a storming second-half display to salvage a point against play-off rivals Hartlepool.

The Tykes were dreadful in the opening 45 minutes, falling behind and then having midfielder Chris Lumsdon controversially sent off for what referee John Robinson insisted was a swinging elbow.

But the home side raised their game after the break, first of all levelling and then fighting back once more after Hartlepool had taken a 2-1 lead.

The first half was very scrappy, although striker Daniel Nardiello, on loan from Manchester United, did have the ball in the Hartlepool net on 23 minutes only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.

Three minutes later, it was the visitors who snatched the lead with their first effort on target.

Ritchie Humphreys delivered an excellent cross from the right and lively striker Eifion Williams headed in from close range.

The home side were dealt a further blow when Lumsdon received his marching orders following a clash with Pools winger Chris Shuker.

Barnsley brought on striker Isaiah Rankin at the start of the second period and switched to three front men, beginning to test the visiting defence.

Lee Crooks had a deflected shot brilliantly saved by United keeper Jim Provett, who then got up to deny Rankin with the follow up effort.

Humphreys was fortunate to escape at least a booking when he felled Rankin off the ball, but seconds later Barnsley were level when Brian O'Callaghan's free-kick was superbly brought under control by Nardiello, before the young forward drilled a low shot past Provett.

Three minutes later Nardiello was tripped in the box but Barnsley's leading scorer Kevin Betsy, having a nightmare of a game, saw his powder-puff penalty easily saved by Provett.

To make matters worse for the hosts Hartlepool went back in front in the 67th minute, Mark Tinkler despatching a first-time shot beyond keeper Marlon Beresford.

Betsy fluffed another good chance after 70 minutes after great approach work from Nardiello and Mark Stallard.

But, after Beresford had produced two tremendous saves to keep the Tykes in it, the equaliser arrived ten minutes from time.

Steve Hayward had just arrived as a substitute for captain Crooks and he managed to burst into the box and meet Alex Neil's cross to direct an inch-perfect header beyond Provett and in off the far post.