By Paul Holland
March 13 2002

Barnsley striker Bruce Dyer popped up to score his 14th goal of the season as Steve Parkin's side continued their hoodoo over local rivals Sheffield United. But the Tykes were left rueing missed chances at Oakwell as a draw failed to pull them out of the relegation mire.

The Blades looked on course to end their six-year wait for a win over their South Yorkshire counterparts when Laurent D'Jaffo fired home, only for the hosts to battle back.

However, with fellow strugglers Grimsby and Walsall also drawing at Blundell Park, this result leaves Barnsley still in trouble in Nationwide Division One.

There was little evidence of the usual cagey atmosphere of a derby game early on as both sides started at a lightening-quick pace.

Youngster Kevin Betsy went close for Barnsley after two minutes with a powerful left-footed drive that forced Keith Curle to block.

But six minutes later United responded and when goalkeeper Andy Marriott could only parry Peter Ndlovu's shot, Gus Uhlenbeek following up was unlucky to see his curling effort rebound off the woodwork.

Despite enjoying more of the ball in the early stages, United struggled to break down the organised Barnsley defence with Mitch Ward marshalling effectively for the hosts at the back.

But after Ward himself had curled a free-kick dangerously close, finally the visitors made the breakthrough as D'Jaffo finished off a swift breakaway move.

After good work from Michael Brown down the left, the ball was flung into the Barnsley box and when Paul Peschisolido's snapshot was blocked, D'Jaffo reacted first to blast the ball home.

As Barnsley looked for an immediate response, on-loan Betsy again caused problems for the United defence after 33 minutes but his finish was wayward as he flashed a shot wide.

But the Tykes continued to press and five minutes before the interval they finally got their reward when Betsy turned supplier and floated a cross to the back-post for the unmarked Dyer to head home.

Having hauled themselves level, the Tykes came within inches of adding a second two minutes before the break as Richard Naylor's header cannoned off the woodwork.

As the rain came down at the start of the second half, the game degenerated into a midfield scrap.

Chris Lumsdon began to pull the strings for the hosts and after 57 minutes he was only denied by a brilliant stop from Tracey, who reacted smartly to keep out his stinging right-footed drive.

And three minutes later the goalkeeper was called into action again, producing another spectacular save to block Naylor's curling shot.

The Blades however continued to pose a threat on the break and throughout the second half they looked capable of snatching a winner themselves.

Just after the hour mark Ndlovu volleyed over from an inch-perfect Peschisolido cross before Michael Brown drilled wide from fully 30 yards.

With 11 minutes left the visitors were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when Naylor's charge on goal was halted by a crude challenge from Uhlenbeek on the edge of the box but referee David Pugh brandished only a yellow card.

And from the resulting free-kick dead-ball specialist Darren Barnard curled goalward but Curle hacked the ball off the line to ensure United held on for a point.


Teams

Barnsley: Marriott, Mulligan, Crooks, Morgan, Barker, Ward (Barnard 62), Lumsdon, Gary Jones, Betsy, Dyer, Naylor.

Subs Not Used: Miller, Gorre, Chettle, Sheron.

Booked: Ward, Lumsdon.

Goals: Dyer 40.

Sheff Utd: Tracey, Uhlenbeek, Curle, Page, Ullathorne, Brown, Tonge (Santos 74), Jagielka, Ndlovu (Nicholson 82), D'Jaffo (Asaba 74), Peschisolido.

Subs Not Used: Montgomery, de Vogt.

Booked: D'Jaffo, Uhlenbeek.

Goals: D'Jaffo 29.

Att: 15,430

Ref: D Pugh (Bebington).