Barnsley 2 Sheffield Utd 2
Written by Matt Goodwin on Tuesday 10th November 2009

Barnsley were robbed of all three points last night as referee Mark Clattenburg gifted Sheffield United two very debatable penalty decisions.

There was certainly no lack of controversy or entertainment in Barnsley's third South Yorkshire derby of the season, where Anderson de Silva and Daniel Bogdanovic grabbed the goals.

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell was looking to steer his sinking side away from a fifth successive defeat and keep his job as Blades boss, but it was Barnsley who started the brighter of the two sides.

Jon Macken looped his improvised effort over Bennett's crossbar when he connected with Kozluk's cross. United then should have taken the lead but for an excellent block from Darren Moore on Darius Henderson's effort. It was end-to-end stuff as Barnsley raced on with a counter-attack.

Anderson de Silva found Bogdanovic with a perfectly-weighted through-ball, as the Maltese international lined up his effort one-on-one with Bennett, Matt Killgallon raced back with a crucial tackle.

From the resulting corner Ian Bennett was red-faced after flapping at Hammill's delivery forcing Walker to head onto his own crossbar.

With 13 minutes on the watch Anderson's header was denied by a splendid save from Bennet after Hammill had picked the Brazilian out with a delightful left-footed cross.

A couple of minutes later Ched Evans got the better of Ryan Shotton before firing just wide of Steele's upright from the edge of the box.

With 20 minutes gone Bogdanovic showed just why he's been recalled to the Malta squad with an audacious effort with the outside of the boot producing a great save from Bennett.

Darius Henderson glanced a header just wide after he was found free in the box by Keith Treacey's delivery - the powerful front-man really should have done better with his effort to give his side the lead.

A few moments later the game burst into controversy once again, as referee Mark Clattenburg failed to see not one but two clear head-butts by Andrew Davies on Jon Macken. Amazingly, the referee didn't even book Davies, who claimed an elbow - despite Macken's arm remaining completely straight in his challenge.

It was Hugo Colace's turn to test Bennett after the Argentinean did well to control the ball but his volley was punched away by the Blades stopper.

A few half-chances for either side were not enough to break the deadlock before the break, although Ryan Shotton picked up a yellow card for the game's first booking after ending Matt Killgallon's match early.

The injury-hit Blades took another blow at half time, with their star of the match so far, Ian Bennett, replaced by Mark Bunn between the sticks.

Only eight minutes into the second-half and Barnsley finally grabbed a deserved lead. Kozluk's throw-inn caused havoc in the box and the ball broke to Hugo Colace who cushioned a pass into the path of ANDERSON DE SILVA - the Brazilian rifled into the top-corner for only his second League goal of the season.

United were relying on Henderson all evening, and the striker went close yet again after his effort cannoned back off the post, with Ward unable to scramble the rebound home thanks to Moore's block.

It really should have been two as 55 minutes ticked over on the watch, as Dickinson's fine delivery found Macken free from six yards out. The forward could only direct his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

On the hour mark Ched Evans went over Luke Steele in the area and the referee pointed to the spot - Darius Henderson hammered the ball into the roof of the net.

Only a few minutes later and Macken was found free in the area yet again, he couldn't connect cleanly with Hammill's free-kick; it was another glorious opportunity for Barnsley and Jon Macken.

Macken sort of redeemed himself when on 75 minutes his perfect delivery found Daniel BOGDANOVIC, who did well to guide the ball home after it ricocheted off his knee then chest but more importantly, into the net.

Eight minutes later, the referee had another helping hand in United's goal when he pointed to the spot when Hammill tried to win the ball off Walker in the area. There appeared to be almost no contact whatsoever, and replays show Mark Clattenburg proceed to place his arms behind his back as Walker went over, but then pointed to the spot.

Henderson made no mistake again and sent Steele the wrong way to give United an undeserved equaliser.

Mark Robins will be scratching his head as to how his side came away from his second derby of the season with anything less than three points. United couldn't manage a single shot on target - barring the penalties. It is understandable as to why so many Sheff Utd fans have been calling for Blackwell's head recently.

Team line-ups:

Barnsley: Steele, Kozluk, Shotton, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson, Colace, Doyle, Hammill, Macken (Hume 75), Bogdanovic (A.Gray 76). Subs not used: Preece, Campbell-Ryce, Hassell, Hallfredsson, Thompson.

Sheffield United:
Bennett (Bunn 45), Killgallon (Geary 45), Henderson, Evans, Harper, Ward, Davies, Treacey (Camara 79), Quinn, Fortune, Walker. Subs not used: France, Cotterill, Williamson, Little.

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