Last-gasp Tykes are Pinn sharp to the end
DEFENDER Ethan Pinnock headed home in stoppagetime as Barnsley snatched a point against Reading.
The Royals had led through Yann Kermorgant’s 68th-minute header – his first goal of the season.
Tykes manager Paul Heckingbottom said: “We pushed big Ethan up at the end and luckily enough it worked for us.
“It’s pleasing when it’s a young side as well, when you think it’s not going to be your day.”
In a cagey first half Reading full-back Chris Gunter forced Adam Davies into a good save at his near post.
Barnsley then broke from a corner and Tom Bradshaw sent in Gary Gardner but his chip from 20 yards failed to trouble Vito Mannone.
Mamadou Thiam had an even better chance, again set up by Gardner, but Mannone stood tall to deflect his shot.
The match burst into life in the second half as Gunter had a well-hit shot held by Davies and at the other end Bradshaw saw his shot blocked.
Mannone then saved from Thiam and got down well to smother Harvey Barnes’ dangerous low cross.
And the former Arsenal man had to be on his toes as Thiam’s deflected effort fell to Bradshaw, who was again foiled by the Italian.
Reading finally took the lead in the 67th minute, when Tyler Blackett sent in a brilliant looping cross for Kermorgant to power home a header from six yards.
Barnsley piled the pressure on the Royals’ goal and Lloyd Isgrove’s header just cleared the bar.
The Tykes kept going, though, and in stoppage time Isgrove found Pinnock, who aimed a low powerful header past Mannone.
And the home fans thought they had snatched all three points as Ike Ugbo headed over Mannone, only to see his effort cleared off the line.
Reading boss Jaap Stam said: “We’ve conceded late goals in previous games.
“It’s a matter of talking, looking around you and making decisions in split seconds on who to mark.”