Paul Dickov’s men remain unbeaten in their last four fixtures as Theo Robinson equaliser earns Rovers a point at Oakwell.
Barnsley 1 (Nyatanga- 5)Doncaster Rovers 1 (Robinson- 53)
Oakwell, Barnsley
Tuesday 2nd December
Sky Bet League One
It was a share of the spoils for Rovers and Barnsley in the South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell. Some heroic goalkeeping from former Rovers man Ross Turnbull denied Rovers all three points at Oakwell.
Paul Dickov made one change to the team that rescued a late point against Crewe at the weekend, Theo Robinson came in for an injured Nathan Tyson.
Rovers got off to the worst possible start when Nyatanga put the home side ahead after just five minutes.
A deflected shot from the edge of the area had Sam Johnstone scrambling as he made a great save to put the ball behind from a corner. The resulting corner saw the defender find space in the box and powerfully head home to make it 1-0. Leroy Lita went close not long after with a volley from the edge of the area that required a reflex fingertip save from Johnstone.
The visitors looked to respond and former Rovers man Turnbull was called into action as a lively Kyle Bennett broke into the area and released a shot on goal, but the Barnsley 'keeper saved.
A number of times James Coppinger found space down the right hand side but the final ball was lacking from the Rovers captain.
On the half hour mark Rovers upped their game and a run of chances saw Turnbull made a hat-trick of saves to keep the ball out of his net. Robinson looked the most likely to score as he picked up the ball and cut inside from the right to shoot, forcing Turnbull to make a great save low to his right.
Minutes later the striker was in the thick of the action again as some fancy footwork in the area freed him from his marker, but his left footed shot was again saved.
The away side continued to pile on the pressure and on the stroke of half time Bennett’s attempt from 25 yards was heading for the top corner, but Turnbull at full stretch somehow got his fingertips to it.
Despite Rovers dominance towards the end of the first half, it was a disappointing 45 minutes for both sides.
Half Time score: Barnsley 1-0 Rovers
Rovers started the second half strongly as they looked to level the match up. Turnbull was kept busy early on as a Bennett corner caused a scramble in the six yard box.
On 53 minutes Rovers got the equaliser they deserved as Richie Wellens squared a ball to Robinson, who, after turning away from his marker, finally got his shot away from ten yards leaving Turnbull with no chance.
Rovers almost got their second minutes later as Enda Stevens broke down the left and delivered a low ball towards Curtis Main, but the striker stabbed the ball wide of the post.
With Rovers enjoying the majority of the possession, the hosts looked to catch them on the break but solid defending from Luke McCullough and Andy Butler kept things tight at the back and from then on neither side looked like scoring.
With neither side threatening their opposition goalkeeper’s the game fizzled out and chances were limited.
Rovers’ best chance to get the winner came on 85 minutes as substitute Harry Forrester played a through ball to Robinson but unfortunately the Jamaican international’s shot with the outside of his boot fell straight to Turnbull.
After three minutes added time, the referee blew for full time on what was a scrappy performance from both sides but Paul Dickov’s men remain unbeaten in their last four games.
Team details –
Barnsley: Turnbull, Brown, Holgate, Berry (Abbott- 78), Nyatanga, Hourihane, Ramage, Trotta (Treacy- 60), Bailey, Lita, Cole
Subs not used: Davies, Hemmings, Digby, Cowgill
Cautions - Nyatanga (29)
Rovers: Johnstone, Wabara, Stevens, Butler, McCullough, Wellens, Keegan, Bennett, Coppinger, Robinson, Main (Forrester- 81)
Subs not used: Marosi, Furman, McCombe, Wakefield, De Val, J.McKay
Cautions - N/A
Attendance – 10,058
Away- 1,397