Barnsley produced their best performance under Poya Asbaghi so far but are still without a win under him following a 1-1 home to Huddersfield Town in a Yorkshire derby on Saturday.
The visitors took the lead and almost added to it but Carlton Morris levelled on the stroke of half-time with his first goal of the season and Barnsley's first under Poya Asbaghi.
The Reds remain second-bottom, eight points off safety, with 13 from 21 games.
Poya Asbaghi had made three changes from the team that drew 0-0 at Peterborough a week earlier. Callum Brittain, Romal Palmer and Aaron Leya Iseka came in for Jordan Williams, Josh Benson and Devante Cole.
The Reds were much more attacking than in the two previous games under Asbaghi, as they put some fine moves together in the first half but still often lacked end product and made mistakes at the back as Huddersfield had the first five shots on target.
A first full week in training under the new head coach led to the Reds trying some different tactics. Barnsley defended in a back five but Liam Kitching broke out of it to help his midfielders win the ball, while he and fellow wide centre-back Michal Helik often broke up the wings, plus the front three were fluid and regularly swapped places.
The hosts carved Huddersfield open with a good early move down the left involving Morris, Palmer, Cauley Woodrow and Callum Styles who was played through and denied by the goalkeeper but the flag was up for offside.
Huddersfield came close to an opener when Brittain and Helik both could not clear following a corner and Harry Toffolo's low 15-yard shot was saved by Collins as was the follow-up by Levi Colwill who put his shot too close to the goalkeeper with the goal gaping.
Iseka smashed a shot over from 25 yards, as did Styles, then, at the other end, an effort from a similar distance by Huddersfield's dangerman Josh Koroma was touched over by Collins.
Morris had Barnsley's first big chance midway through the first half when Styles headed down a Brittain cross to the striker who fired wide of the bottom left corner from 12 yards out under pressure from a defender.
The visitors took the lead in the 33rd minute when Helik tried to pass from the right of defence into central midfield but it was intercepted and Huddersfield broke, with Josh Koroma playing Lewis O'Brien through on goal and he found the bottom right corner from 15 yards. It was the sixth successive home game in which Barnsley had conceded first.
Morris then headed a difficult chance into the ground and wide at the back post from a fine Brittain cross.
Koroma could have made it 2-0 when he was allowed to get between Collins and Brittain to reach a hopeful throughball and his powerful shot from the left of the six-yard box was blocked by the chest of Collins.
Koroma then crashed a 25-yard swerving shot off the crossbar but, seconds later, it was 1-1. Helik's crossfield pass from the right played Morris in on the left of the box and he found a good finish to beat the goalkeeper and send the ball into the bottom right corner.
Huddersfield were the better side for the majority of the second half without creating clear-cut chances as Barnsley defended well.
O'Brien fired wide from long-range then the impressive Koroma smashed across the face of goal on the left of the box after a mazy run.
Morris shot well wide from distance then, at the other end, Sorba Thomas cut in from the right but fired wide of the bottom right corner from 15 yards then Collins pushed away a deflected Koroma shot from 20 yards.
Gomes embarked on an excellent run down the right of the Terriers' box and pulled the ball back for Palmer who slipped before he could shoot on the edge of the area.
Woodrow smashed a powerful 30-yard effort just wide of the bottom left corner in the 82nd minute then Morris' 15 yard header was easily saved by the goalkeeper. Gomes then sliced a shot over from the edge of the box.
Barnsley (3-4-3): Collins; Andersen, Helik, Kitching; Brittain, Gomes, Palmer (Benson 75mins), Styles (J Williams 87); Morris, Woodrow, Leya Iseka (Adeboyejo 62).
Unused: Walton, , Benson, Moon, Hondermarck, Cole.
Goals: Morris 45+2.
Huddersfield (3-4-3): Nicholls, Turton, Colwill, Lees; Thomas (Aarons 82mins), High, O'Brien, Toffolo; Koroma, Ward, Campbell (Odubeko 55).
Unused: Schofield, Pearson, Ruffels, Sarr, Russell.
Goals: O'Brien 33.
AS IT HAPPENED
  • 1 The Reds get the game underway.
  • 3:04pm
    2 Helik is playing on the right of the back three, Mads in the middle.
  • 3:04pm
    3 An even game so far. No side has yet to take control of the game.
  • 3:07pm
    5 A brilliant back heel from Carlton Morris plays Styles through. He plays it to Woodrow who gives it back to Styles. His shot is saved by Nicholls but he's offside anyway.
  • 3:08pm
    7 Corner to Huddersfield.
  • 3:10pm
    8 Great chance from the corner as Toffolo shoots at Collins and then Colwill tried to fire in the rebound. The Reds keeper claimed the ball well.
  • 3:12pm
    10 A misplaced pass from Kitching nearly plays Huddersfield through but he does well to recover.
  • 3:14pm
    12 It's been an even opening 12 minutes here at Oakwell. Neither side is fully in control of the game as of yet
  • 3:14pm
    13 Aaron Leya Iseka has the ball around 25 yards out and decided to shoot at the Huddersfield goal, but his effort is high and wide into the home fans.
  • 3:15pm
    14 Penalty shouts from the home fans after Woodrow crosses the ball into Leya Iseka, who falls to the ground in the box. The referee waves away the appeals.
  • 3:16pm
    15 Really good determination from the Reds. A typically robust challenge from Romal Palmer gifts the ball to Styles - but his effort is well over.
  • 3:19pm
    17 Poya Asbaghi's side have certainly had the best of the last few minutes. They're as lot more attacking than the previous two games and look dangerous on the break.
  • 3:22pm
    20 Absolutely fantastic from Carlton Morris as he dribbles past the Huddersfield defence. He plays a ball right across the face of goal and it almost goes in. Great chance for the Reds.
  • 3:22pm
    21 A Josh Koroma effort from outside the box is tipped over by Collins. Huddersfield corner.
  • 3:26pm
    24 Carlton Morris fires wide from inside the box but it looks as though he's dragged down in the box. Big appeals for a penalty but once again the referee waves them away.
  • 3:27pm
    25 The Reds are pressing really well and are forcing the away side into plenty of mistakes. Still 0-0.
  • 3:28pm
    26 Yet another penalty appeal waved away by the referee.. Styles looks to have been pushed to the ground but nothing is given.
  • 3:30pm
    28 Josh Koroma goes through on goal after Palmer can't control the pass. He shoots but Mads Andersen makes a great block. Away side corner.
  • 3:32pm
    30 It's raining heavily here at Oakwell, making it very difficult for either side to play the football they want.
  • 3:32pm
    31 Claudio Gomes is on the floor holding his head. Short stoppage in play.
  • 3:34pm
    GOAL!
    Lewis O'Brien
  • 3:34pm
    33 Completely agains the run of play Lewis O'Brien is played in by Josh Koroma, and he fires it well past Collins.
  • 3:37pm
    36 it's the sixth home game in a row where the Reds have conceded the first goal.
  • 3:38pm
    36 A teasing ball is played in from Brittain but Styles can't get on the end of it.
  • 3:40pm
    38 Another great ball in from Callum Brittain, This time his cross finds Carlton Morris who heads the ball down into the ground and then over the bar. The Reds have responded well since going behind.
  • 3:42pm
    41 Josh Koroma goes through on goal, Collins hesitates to make the ball his, but the Huddersfield man can only shoot straight at him.
  • 3:44pm
    41 Callum Styles plays a wicked ball across goal but none of the Barnsley strikers gamble and it's cleared.
  • 3:45pm
    43 A Callum Brittain cross is headed straight at Nicholls by Woodrow. The Reds are getting a lot of joy down the flanks.
  • 3:47pm
    45 A thunderous Josh Korma strike from 25 yards out rattles the crossbar.
  • 3:47pm
    ADDED TIME
    Two minutes.
  • 3:48pm
    GOAL!
    Carlton Morris
  • 3:48pm
    46 Right on the stroke of half time Carlton Morris is played through on goal and fires past Nicholls. Nothing more than the Reds deserve.
  • 3:50pm
    HALF TIME: It's a solid half from the Reds when fell behind from a Lewis O'Brien strike. Carlton Morris grabbed his first goal of the season at the break and it's all square at the break.
  • 4:08pm
    46 Huddersfield get the game back underway.
  • 4:08pm
    46 No changes at the break for either side.
  • 4:09pm
    47 Mads Andersen does well to slide in and knock the ball out of play as Sorba Thomas looked to have broken free.
  • 4:11pm
    49 Brad Collins comes rushing off his line and clears the ball well into the West Stand.
  • 4:12pm
    49 Palmer tries to set Callum Brittain free but his pass is over-hit and goes out for a goal kick.
  • 4:15pm
    52 Even start to the second half. Both teams are trying to play football but no clear-cut chances as of yet.
  • 4:16pm
    53 Lewis O'Brien shoots from 25 yards but his shot is wide of Brad Collins in the Barnsley goal.
  • 4:17pm
    SUB OFF
    Fraizer Campbell
  • 4:17pm
    SUB ON
    Mipo Odubeko
  • 4:18pm
    54 Just before the substitution Koroma fired a shot just wide of the goal. He's been dangerous all game.
  • 4:21pm
    58 Another stoppage in play as Sorba Thomas goes down under a challenge from Carlton Morris, who bullied the Huddersfield defender. They're both fine to carry on.
  • 4:22pm
    60 It's end-to-end stuff here at Oakwell. Both sides are pushing on well.
  • 4:23pm
    60 Carlton Morris runs at the Huddersfield defence, does a couple of step overs, and then fires the ball over the bar.
  • 4:24pm
    61 Lewis O'Brien plays a great ball over to Sorba Thomas, but his shot dribbles wide of the goal.
  • 4:24pm
    SUB OFF
    Aaron Leya Iseka
  • 4:24pm
    SUB ON
    Victor Adeboyejo
  • 4:25pm
    62 A great block from Michal Helik as Koroma looked to shoot.
  • 4:26pm
    63 Ollie Turton plays Thomas in down the right, but Mads Andersen does well and it's out for an away corner.
  • 4:29pm
    66 Neither side have really taken control of the second half.
  • 4:29pm
    67 Gomes does well and he turns a Huddersfield midfielder, but his pass has way too much on it and Callum Brittain can't keep up.
  • 4:31pm
    69 Josh Koroma has another effort on goal but his shot his blocked by Kitching, before Collins palms it away.
  • 4:33pm
    YELLOW CARD
    Michal Helik
  • 4:33pm
    71 Helik is carded for bringing down Lewis O'Brien. Free kick on the half way line.
  • 4:35pm
    73 Ollie Turton goes from his own half all the to the Barnsley penalty area but his shot is deflected over for a corner.
  • 4:36pm
    75 Gomes chops past a Huddersfield defender in the box and then lays off Palmer but he slips and there ball is cleared.
  • 4:37pm
    SUB OFF
    Romal Palmer
  • 4:37pm
    SUB ON
    Josh Benson
  • 4:40pm
    77 A strong tackle from Claudio Gomes in the middle leaves Lewis O'Brien in a heap but it's not a foul.
  • 4:43pm
    79 The Reds have had a few decent chances to play the ball into the box but they've not done so. An Adeboyejo chest down was intercepted by the away side.
  • 4:44pm
    81 Cauley Woodrow unleashes a fierce effort from 30 yards out and it goes narrowly wide.
  • 4:44pm
    SUB OFF
    Sorba Thomas
  • 4:44pm
    SUB ON
    Rolando Aarons
  • 4:45pm
    83 A Carlton Morris header is straight at the Huddersfield keeper. Half chance for the Reds.
  • 4:46pm
    84 Carlton Morris with another few stepovers as he finds himself in the box but his cross is cleared before Woodrow can fire home.
  • 4:47pm
    85 Aarons plays a teasing ball into the Reds box but no one is on the end of it and Collins smothers the ball.
  • 4:48pm
    86 Gomes finds himself free in there box but his first effort of the night is well over.
  • 4:48pm
    SUB OFF
    Callum Styles
  • 4:49pm
    SUB ON
    Jordan Williams
  • 4:49pm
    86 The former Huddersfield man replaces Styles who has played well.
  • 4:49pm
    87 Danny Ward has a good chance as Andersen slips in the box but his shot is tame and straight at Brad Collins.
  • 4:52pm
    89 It's all Huddersfield at the minute, but they're playing it around the back and not creating many chances.
  • 4:52pm
    Man of the match is Carlton Morris.
  • 4:53pm
    ADDED TIME
    Three minutes.
  • 4:54pm
    YELLOW CARD
    Carlton Morris for dissent
  • 4:57pm
    FULL TIME: It ends 1-1 at Oakwell. A fair result in the end. The away fans boon but the Reds plays well and deserved at least a draw. The Reds travel to Preston next week.