Barnsley drew 0-0 for a second successive pre-season friendly as Premier League new boys Nottingham Forest were held at Oakwell on Saturday evening.
It was a dull match overall, with Forest narrowly edging it in terms of clear chances, but the Reds will be pleased with a clean sheet against top flight opponents.
The Reds looked well-organised and disciplined but lacked a goal threat, with new signing James Norwood in the stands.
Callum Styles did not play while Herbie Kane was initially announced in the line-up but was replaced late on by Matty Wolfe.
Liam Kitching played at left wing-back in a 3-5-2 with new signing Nicky Cadden coming on in the second half. 16-year-old striker Fabio Jalo was an unused substitute.
Very little happened in the first half, as Barnsley began brightly but Forest then dominated possession without creating any chances.
Jack Aitchison saw a deflected long-range shot easily saved then Devante Cole saw a strike from a similar distance kept out comfortably on a counter-attack when he had two players free to his left.
Cole had another chance seconds into the second half when he collected Kitching’s left-wing cross, turned about eight yards out and shot into the ground which looped up and was tipped over by the goalkeeper.
Forest almost took the lead on 57 minutes but Brad Collins superbly pushed over Joe Worrall’s powerful 12-yard effort after Alex Mighten burst into the box from the left. Youngster Oli Hammond then screwed a shot from ten yards over the bar as the visitors had a good spell.
Aaron Leya Iseka headed over a difficult chance from a corner by fellow substitute Cadden.
Barnsley (3-5-2): Collins; Andersen, Cundy (Moon 80), McCarthy; Brittain, Connell, Wolfe (Hondermarck 68), Benson (Thomas 64), Kitching (Cadden 57); Cole (Iseka 74), Aitchison (Marsh 64).
Unused: Walton, Jalo, Ackroyd.
