[BFC SITE] Reds draw with Royals at Oakwell

Barnsley FC claimed a point under the lights at Oakwell, as a late equaliser from Josh Earl secured a 2-2 draw with Reading in Sky Bet League One.

The Reds started well, taking the lead after seven minutes, when they gained possession after miscommunication in the Reading defensive line, with Davis Keillor-Dunn finding himself with space in the box and dispatching with aplomb for the opener.

Darrell Clarke’s men came close to doubling their advantage nine minutes later, when Georgie Gent won the ball back high up the pitch, finding the feet of Stephen Humphrys, although the forward’s right footed shot was unable to find the target.

The visitors had their own opportunities to level the scoring as the half progressed, with Chem Campbell coming closest with a 27th minute shot which was directed well wide of the reaches of Ben Killip in the Barnsley net.

The goalscorer Keillor-Dunn almost secured a brace after 33 minutes, hitting a curling left-footed shot just outside the box, which was directed wide of the post.

A great passage of play in the 35th minute saw Adam Phillips race down the right flank, hitting an angled shot which was parried by Pereira in the Reading net.

The Reds had the majority of possession in the opening 45, limiting the Royals to minimal chances, and going into half-time with a one goal advantage.

HALF TIME: Barnsley FC 1-0 Reading FC

The visitors started the second half on the front foot, and in the 50th minute, they found an equaliser. Sam Smith found himself in the centre of the box, and netted past Ben Killip with a close range finish to level the scoring.

One minute later, the Royals hit Barnsley on the counter, but Marc Roberts managed to run back, putting the ball out for a throw-in.

Maël de Gevigney almost regained Barnsley’s lead after 58 minutes, when he managed to connect with a Connell corner into the box, but the defender’s bullet header was directed over the crossbar.

Nine minutes later, the visitors took the lead, with the forward Smith securing a brace with a finish inside the box after a goalmouth scramble.

The Reds were quick to react and in the 72nd minute, they produced an equaliser. Georgie Gent put a high looping cross into the box, forcing Pereira to punch the ball out. Earl was quickest to react, with the defender smashing the ball into the back of the net for the leveller.

Darrell Clarke’s men made a number of changes in the final fifteen minutes of the game, in an effort to find a winner, and substitute Sam Cosgrove came closest to producing that goal in the 79th minute, heading a whipped Georgie Gent cross over the bar.

Both teams battled hard in the closing minutes of the game in an effort to claim all three points, but neither side was able to break the stalemate, with the Reds settling for a point.

FULL TIME: Barnsley FC 2-2 Reading FC

Barnsley XI: Killip, Roberts, De Gevigney, O’Keeffe (Lofthouse, 85), Phillips, Gent (Pines, 87), Earl, Keillor-Dunn (Cosgrove, 77), Humphrys, Connell (C).

Subs not used: Smith, Jalo, Craig, Nwakali.

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