Barnsley's winless run was extended to nine games following a 0-0 draw with Preston North End.

Neither side offered much of an attacking threat and a point each seemed fair following a battling 90 minutes at Oakwell.

Paul Heckingbottom shuffled his pack and formation from the defeat at Fulham three days earlier.

He opted for a 4-3-3 with Lloyd Isgrove and Adam Hammill supporting Tom Bradshaw from the wings.

Andy Yiadom also moved over to right back with Zeki Fryers in for Jason McCarthy.

Stevie Mallan came in for his debut in midfield but there was no place in the squad for Brad Potts or George Moncur.

Preston had the first major chance of the game on 14 minutes when Tom Barkhuizen's header was superbly kept out by Adam Davies.

Jordan Hugill looked odds on to turn the rebound in but it cannoned off the post and away to safety.

Barnsley's first real chance dropped to Gary Gardner but he ballooned his effort from the edge of the box over the bar.

A number of fouls then seemed to disrupt play with neither side able to enjoy a spell of dominance in a poor first half.

The Reds improved in the second with Isgrove looking particularly lively but his mazy run was ended by a perfect challenge from former Red Ben Pearson.

Gardner was then slipped through on goal by Yiadom but a perfectly timed tackle from Woods denied him a shot.

Harvey Barnes was brought on and he almost produced the magic required for the winner.He burst inside from the left flank and fired in a low shot which had to be kicked away at the second attempt by Chris Maxwell.

Barnsley: Davies, Yiadom, Lindsay, Pinnock, Fryers, Gardner, Williams, Mallan, Isgrove (Barnes 74), Bradshaw, Hammill.Unused: Townsend, MacDonald, McCarthy, McGeehan, Ugbo, Thiam.

Preston: Maxwell, Woods (Browne 78), Huntington, Davies, O'Connor, Gallagher (Harrop 59), Pearson, Johnson, Horgan (Mavididi 69), Barkhuizen, Hugill.Unused: Rudd, Boyle, Cunningham, Welsh.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne and Wear).

Attendance: 14, 014.

As it happened:

16:57pm: Full time. Barnsley 0, Preston 0. This was by no means a classic but a decent point. The winless run extends to nine games.

16:50pm: 90- There will be seven minutes added on.

16:47pm: Attendance: 14, 014.

16:46pm: 86 - A rare bit of quality almost produces a goal. Barnes skips in from the left and his shot is clawed away at the second attempt by Maxwell.

16:42pm: 82 - Hammill stands up a cross but Bradshaw can't get enough on it.

16:41pm: 81 - Barkhuizen's toe poker is pushed out for a corner by Davies.

16:39pm: 78 - Browne on for Woods. Preston's final change.

16:37pm: 76 - Another booking for Preston. Harrop slid in late on Lindsay.

16:34pm: 74 - Barnsley make their first change. Barnes comes on for Isgrove.

16:32pm: 72 - Hammill skips by O'Connor but his delivery is poor. Sums up today for both teams so far.

16:29pm: 69 - Another change for Preston. Horgan is replaced by Mavididi.

16:25pm: 63 - The tackle was actually on Gardner. He receives treatment but the. consensus is that it was a good and fair tackle.

16:23pm: 63 - Barnsley appeal for a penalty after Bradshaw was brought down in the box from Yiadom's pass but referee Geoff Eltringham gives nothing.

16:19pm: 59 - Preston sub. Harrop comes on for Gallagher.

16:18pm: 58 - The atmosphere has cranked up considerably this half.

16:18pm: 58 - Great tracking back by Pearson denies Isgrove a shot on goal.

16:13pm: 51 - Williams' low effort is blocked. It would have tested Maxwell.

16:05pm: Preston out a little bit earlier than Barnsley. Reds' players will at least start the half warmer!

15:48pm: Half time. Barnsley 0, Preston 0.

15:47pm: 45 - Just the one minute added on.

15:46pm: 45 - Gallagher skews an effort well over the top. There hasn't been much quality from either side so far.

15:40pm: 39 - Williams is robbed by Johnson. He plays in Horgan but his effort is saved by Davies.

15:37pm: 35 - Best chance of the half for Barnsley. The ball falls kindly to Gardner on the edge of the box but he blasts over left-footed.

15:35pm: 33 - Well-timed tackle from Yiadom denies Johnson an opening down their left.

15:28pm: 26 - Regular fouls are making the game a bit stop, start at the moment. Had been open early on.

15:24pm: 23 - Pinnock is in the right place to block an effort from Barkhuizen.

15:16pm: 14 - Great chance for Preston. Davies claws out a header and Preston then hit the post on the follow-up.

15:14pm: 12 - Huntington joins Woods on.a yellow card.

15:14pm: 12 - More rough treatment for Isgrove. He's clattered by Huntington.

15:10pm: 9 - Woods goes into the book for Preston. He chopped down Isgrove who had been played in by Hammill down the wing.

15:07pm: 6 - Isgrove has started on the left and Hammill on the right. Early Fryers' cross looked dangerous but cleared.

15:02pm: 1 - Early shot for Preston but Davies gathers Barkhuizen's effort from the edge of the box.

15:01pm: 1 - Preston get us underway.

14:58pm: The teams are out. Again, Adam Davies captains Barnsley. Angus MacDonald is on the bench.

14:45pm: Oakwell is filling up as the players complete their warm-ups. No sign of any penguins today.

14:16pm: It looks like a 4-3-3 when attacking and a 4-5-1 defending for Barnsley. Hopeful a shift in system will bring a change of result.

14:10pm: Preston subs: Rudd, Boyle, Cunningham, Welsh, Browne, Mavididi, Harrop.

14:10pm: Preston: Maxwell, Woods, Huntington, Davies, O'Connor, Gallagher, Pearson, Johnson, Horgan, Barkhuizen, Hugill.

14:08pm: Preston's team includes former Barnsley loanee Ben Pearson.

14:02pm: Barnsley subs: Townsend, MacDonald, McCarthy, McGeehan, Barnes, Ugbo, Thiam.

14:01pm: Barnsley team to play Preston: Davies, Yiadom, Lindsay, Pinnock, Fryers, Gardner, Williams, Mallan, Hammill, Bradshaw, Isgrove.

14:01pm: Team news: Stevie Mallan makes his Barnsley debut this afternoon. Brad Potts is still out.

13:49pm: Team news is coming up at 2pm. Reds will be hopeful Brad Potts is back from illness.

13:46pm: All in all Barnsley have beaten Preston 20 times, lost 22 and drawn 13. Last season this fixture ended in a 0-0 draw.

13:41pm: Preston are mounting a play-off push and arrive at Oakwell in eighth position following a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest three days ago.

13:41pm: Barnsley are back at Oakwell looking for their first victory since the start of November. The winless run is now eight games.

13:38pm: Welcome to today’s coverage of Barnsley’s Boxing Day match against Preston North End.