BARNSLEY fell further behind the top two in League One after a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Cheltenham Town.
Head coach Neill Collins made a number of changes to the side which ran out 3-2 winners at Carlisle on Tuesday.
Liam Roberts returned in goal following an injury, whilst Jamie McCart replaced captain Jordan Williams in the starting 11.
Top-scorer Devante Cole, who was dropped in midweek, remained on the bench with Collins starting both John McAtee and Sam Cosgrove up top.
Luca Connell captained the side in the absence of skipper Williams.
Darrell Clarke’s visitors almost opened the scoring within two minutes.
George Lloyd beat McCart in the air and found Aidan Keena who volleyed at Roberts from 20 yards out.
Fortunately for the Reds it was just wide.
Jon Russell, who scored the third against Carlisle in midweek thought he’d owned the scoring in the fourth minute but it was ruled out for offside.
The Reds continued on the front foot, with both McAtee, McCart and Connell having decent chances in the opening 15 minutes.
Collins’ side were unable to find the breakthrough in the first half, despite having numerous chances to take the lead.
The away side came close through a Lewis Freestone header but found it difficult to find any momentum in the first 45.
Cheltenham started the second half the stronger of the two sides, with Collins taking off Cosgrove and bringing on Cole ten minutes in.
His introduction almost had an instant impact as he played through Cadden, but his effort could only sting the palms of Southwood in goal.
The quality of play in the second half quickly began to deteriorate, but Cole should have opened the scoring with ten minutes to play.
Substitute Aiden Marsh did well to find Phillips whose cross landed directly on the head of Cole six yards out.
But he headed wide, much to the frustration of the home fans.
The Reds tried to find a winner in the six added minutes, but were unable to put the ball into the back of the net.
Boos rang around Oakwell at the final whistle, with the Reds remaining in 5th place.
