Barnsley 2, Bolton 2: Missed opportunity for Reds in race againsr drop, admits boss Jose Morais

The Reds were well on their way to victory after Gary Gardner’s first-half opener.

However, a three-minute brain fade late on seemingly sent them to defeat after Adam Le Fondre’s penalty and Craig Noone’s goal.

But super striker Oli McBurnie salvaged a crucial point which keeps the Reds just two points off the Trotters with a vital game in hand.

“What I feel is we missed an opportunity,” insisted Morais. “In games like this we are only allowed to make the result that we want and deserve and that is to win.

“We had a couple of minutes with less focus and less shape that cost us the lead.

“This is a moment I’d like to be here sharing a winning moment and unfortunately I can’t.”

Aston Villa loanee Gardner scored for a second successive home game to fire home from the edge of the box after ex-Red Ben Alnwik dropped a corner.

Down the other end Adam Davies made a crucial save to deny Sammy Ameobi.

Just before the break Scottish international McBurnie missed a chance to double the advantage when he fired wide.

After the restart skipper Andy Yiadom led by example with a great leap to clear David Weather’s header off the line.

The Reds continued to soak up the pressure, but missed their chances.

Kieffer Moore headed over before George Moncur and McBurnie forced a big double save out of Alnwick.

The Reds conceded a penalty with eight minutes left and Davies was beaten by Le Fondre.

And with the Reds reeling Bolton went ahead through Noone, before McBurnie headed his eighth for the season.

Morais laments decision

Morais was left fuming that a “certain” penalty was not given in his side’s favour when they were 1-0 up.

Doubling the lead would likely have ended a run of just three wins in 27 - which stretched to 28 after the draw.

Moore was bundled to the ground with huge appeals from the players, dugout and the fans waved away by referee Mike Jones.

Morais slammed: “Sometimes there are moments where we feel it’s gone against us.

“How can you not see a situation [penalty] on one side and then the other side you see a situation where in English football there are usually so many fights, so much pulling, so many things going on in the box.

“I understand the referee can take a decision like that but what I would like to understand is why in moments that I can see it really is a penalty and we are not having the decision in our favour.

“In my opinion it was a clear penalty in the box with Kieffer and this was a key moment because we were 1-0 up and with the penalty the game would have been controlled.”

Four finals to save season

With just four games left the Reds really need to go on a run.

As a positive note they have a game in hand over their rivals but not beating Bolton will be a real blow to the guys in the dressing room.

Morais knows the importance of Championship football to everyone involved with the club.

And he said: “We have four games left and we to think every game is a final and a final to win.

“Every point is important and winning games is important.

“Our results are less volatile, we’re not losing, losing, losing and then having one positive result. It shows we are becoming more consistent.

“Now the goal is to win, win, win and win if possible. This is our aim, our will, our belief and our goal.

“The team has a big will to fight back in these difficult moments.”