Adam saves day for Tykes...
BURTON are still awaiting their first-ever goal against Barnsley after being frustrated by the heroics of keeper Adam Davies.
Davies pulled off a string of second-half saves, in addition to a stunning double stop before the break, to earn his side a point at the Pirelli Stadium.
The keeper’s performance ensured that the home side are yet to score against Barnsley in four league and cup meetings.
Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom paid tribute to his stopper, he said: “We knew we had to defend our box and when they did breach us Davies was there.
“His positioning was superb, he made a great double save at the near post and there was one near the end where it just hit him because he’s in the right place.
“I’m not sure he knew too much about it.
“We’ve got to be pleased with a clean sheet especially how Burton came at us in the second half.
“It was a game of two halves in terms of we created the better chances in the first half. We could have made it easier for ourselves if we’d taken some of those.”
The visitors started the game positively and shaded the first half with Adam Armstrong firing the first shot goalwards after just two minutes.
Winger Ryan Kent was causing problems and after creating space with some lovely skill he picked out Sam Winnall, whose first touch let him down when he had the goal at his mercy.
Winnall was involved again as he was fouled by the physical Kyle McFadzean and with the referee Peter Bankes playing a good advantage his team-mates made a fast break that ended with Sam Morsy firing wide.
The same player sent a rising shot just over the bar two minutes later from the edge of the box after another nice touch from Kent.
At the other end Chris O’Grady brought a smart save out of Davies who then used his feet to keep the ball out of the path of the onrushing Lloyd Dyer.
Burton dominated the second half creating a number of chances but could not find a way past Davies.
The first chance of the half fell to O’Grady, who saw his shot beaten away by the keeper.
Substitute Tom Flanagan sent a tame shot into Davies’ arms before seeing the Tykes’ stopper deny him at the near post and he then prevented O’Grady capitalising on the rebound.
Ben Turner connected with a powerful header that saw Davies at full stretch and then the last chance of the match fell to substitute Stuart Beavon who was left bemused by a pointblank stop.
Burton boss Nigel Clough said: “I thought the lack of goals was down to a little bit of bad luck in and around the six yard box.
“We’ve hit the target an awful lot, the keeper has made some good saves, a couple of fortunate ones.
“I think when one hits him on the head in the 91st minute and loops over the bar, I think you know it might not be our day.
“But in terms of our attacking intent in the second half, I thought we were magnificent.
“I thought the effort given again by the whole team was superb.
“But it is a good point because in those situations you can lose 1-0.”