Dawson to the rescue as Hull hit the Tykes
HULL skipper Michael Dawson struck what could be a valuable equaliser for his side after Oli McBurnie’s rich run of goalscoring form threatened to earn Barnsley three priceless points.
McBurnie was on the mark from the game’s first meaningful attack after 22 minutes for his fourth goal in as many starts since last month’s loan from Swansea.
Brad Potts rightwing cross picked out the unmarked McBurnie who headed in from eight yards.
After scoring both Barnsley goals in the weekend victory at Birmingham, the goal was an indication that the Yorkshire club’s survival could rest with the 21-year-old Scot.
But after 73 minutes, Barnsley failed to clear Seb Larsson’s corner and defender Dawson showed great poise to
HULL BARNSLEY
finish through a packed area. The opening goal was a blow to a Hull side facing relegation for a second successive season but showing signs of life under new boss Nigel Adkins.
Nouha Dicko produced Hull’s best first half opening after neat play with Jon Toral. But while his shot passed through the body of keeper Nick Townsend, it failed to find the net, passing just past the far post.
Toral had also opened up the Tykes defence for the Tigers’ only other noteworthy point in the first period, his teasing cross finding Adama Diomande, who could only head straight at the keeper. Barnsley’s plans were not helped when they lost defender Adam Jackson, who injured himself denying Toral a scoring chance in the closing minutes of the first period, who went off on a stretcher after a long delay of over 10 minutes.
And Townsend was quickly called into action after the restart, punching clear after Ola Aina’s cross defected off defender Dani Pinillos.
Hull looked much brighter after the break, with Jarrod Bowen’s free-kick just missing a bunch of team mates at the far post, and the City winger soon sent over another set-piece for Angus MacDonald whose header was kept out by Townsend’s legs.
But Barnsley still posed a threat on the break with home keeper Allan McGregor cautioned after bringing down Kieffer Moore outside the area.