Barnsley gave Yorkshire League Two promotion favourites Yarnbury a major scare on Saturday before losing 12-10 in a tight contest.
The visitors took the lead with a converted try in the fourth minute before the Shaw Laners hit back with Joe Taylor's touchdown which was converted by Andrew Appleyard.
Yarnbury scored an unconverted try five minutes later to lead 12-7 at the break and, despite an Appleyard penalty six minutes into the second half, Barnsley could not claw the deficit back. Appleyard missed a difficult penalty which would have won the game.
Coach Mark Smith said: "It was another close defeat. Once again we conceded an early try and gave ourselves a lot to do. It is a pattern that has been repeated a lot this season."
The town team are now seventh in the table. They still have a mathematical chance of finishing in the second promotion place but it is unlikely.
