Even though one eye seemed to be on Chelsea at the weekend. The Reds put in a battling display to earn a precious away point at the freezing Bloomfield Road against a vast improving Blackpool side.
Reds manager Simon Davey made three changes to the side that drew with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday with Sam Togwell, Dennis Souza and Kayode Odejayi coming into the side in place of Diego Leon, Daniel Nardiello and Rob Kozluk. A change of formation was in place with Odejayi and Campbell-Ryce on the wings with them feeding Jon Macken up front alone.
The Reds were on the off from the start as a long pass from Bobby Hassell in midfield fell to Kayode Odejayi, but good pressure from Tangerines defender Kasper Gorkss prevented the striker from testing the keeper.
Blackpool failed to advance past The Reds defensive wall as Keith Southern smashed a free kick into Dennis Souza after Pools striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher was felled on the edge of the area.
After five minutes the Tangerines broke forward with Stephen McPhee running into the area only for Andy Morrell to receive his knock back and fire against Souza, and send the ball to safety. A few minutes later Howard found some space on the edge of the area but his woeful shot crashed into Gorkss.
It took 21 minutes for both sides to finally create something but it was Blackpool who struck first. Stephen Crainey sent an impressive cross past the entire Reds defence for Gary Taylor-Fletcher to head past Luke Steele.
Odejayi finally tested the Blackpool goalkeeper on 25 minutes after what looked like a cross ended up bobbling to the safety of Rachukba at the near post. Shortly afterwards The Reds broke free through Howard and Campbell-Ryce. Both players created an opening for Togwell but the midfielder failed to test Rachukba after being under pressure from the Tangerines defence.
Luke Steele was almost exposed on 32 minutes as a poor clearance ended up at the feet of Crainey only for the left back to shoot wide of an empty net from 45 yards out.
Reds boss Davey had to change things on 37 minutes as Barnsley were being outplayed in all quarters and the travelling faithful were beginning to get restless. He switched to a 4-4-2 formation in a bid to wake the Tykes.
A brilliant combination between Hassell and Togwell gifted Barnsley a glorious opportunity to equalise only a minute later. Hassell was sent through only for the stand in midfielder to shoot over from the edge of the area.
An embarrassing moment for Kayode Odejayi shortly afterwards saw the strikers attempted clearance from Wes Hoolahan's corner acrobatically saved from Luke Steele as the ball swerved dangerously towards the wrong top corner.
Although the striker soon made up for it after an impressive battling display to close the half. Firstly he sent Campbell-Ryce down the left only for the tricky winger to send his shot wide. Then shortly after Odejayi held off the Blackpool defence to tee up Campbell-Ryce to shoot into Rachubka's bottom corner to level the score.
After half-time The Reds were being thankful for Steele's post as Rachukba's goal kick went straight through The Reds defence to McPhee only for Steele to produce a brilliant block, although the ball rebounded off Togwell and was almost an own goal.
Blackpool continued to press forward, McPhee sent a volley straight at Steele and Hoolahan shot just over shortly afterwards. On 57 minutes Stephen Crainey sent a sweet cross into the area but the threatening McPhee sent his shot woefully over the bar into row Z. Morrell shot wide shortly after from Hoolahan's through ball.
The Reds could have taken the lead against the run of play on 62 minutes when Howard's cross met the head of Souza. The Brazilian headed wide unmarked in the penalty area. Blackpool pressed forward again shortly afterwards with Taylor-Fletcher shooting over.
Barnsley nearly stole the lead on 79 minutes when Howard recovered from a bad free kick to send the ball to Souza. The Brazilian failed to hit the net from eight yards. The contest was beginning to get more and more even with Macken leading The Reds forward and Taylor Fletcher leading the Tangerines forward. The crowd was getting fired up.
Howard and Southern brought saves out of both keepers on 85 minutes as the contest turned end to end. Ian Evatt almost won it for Blackpool a few minutes later but his header from Hoolahan's corner went woefully over the bar.
Blackpool team: Rachukba, Barker, Gorkss, Evatt, Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher, Southern, Jorgensen, Hoolahan, Morrell, Mcphee
Barnsley team: Steele, Foster, Souza, Nyatanga, Van Homoet, Campbell-Ryce, Hassell, Togwell, Howard, Odejayi, Macken
Player Ratings:
Steele: Commanded his area well and made some good saves to keep the score down, still looking very confident: 7 (Out of 10)
Foster: Was never afraid to get stuck in where required although Hoolahan did become a hand full: 7
Nyatanga: Had a big test on his hands with the in-form McPhee. Made some crucial challenges: 7
Souza: Looked a little shaky from time to time but still put in a battling shift. Could have had two goals: 6
Van Homoet: Was very quiet out on the left and struggled to extinguish the threat of Taylor-Fletcher: 6
Campbell-Ryce: My man of the match. Ran his socks off for the cause like he did against Sheffield Wednesday. Looking in good form and took his goal well: 8
Hassell: Made some decent passes in the centre of the park but still not as convincing than he is at right back. Good display though: 7
Togwell: Returning to the starting eleven after spending significant time on the bench. Put in a decent performance and should have had a goal. Still not convincing enough: 6
Howard: Put in a good performance on the field although the lack of organising his team looks like it's holding him back slightly: 7
Macken: A good display from the forward. Ran his socks off and made some decent passes. The Blackpool defence did well to keep him at bay: 7
Odejayi: Mixed opinions about the striker. Battled well but some of his passing and play was woeful. Was involved in a lot of attacks and could have had some goals if the Blackpool defence didn't contain him well: 7