Burton 0 Barnsley 0: Reds hold second-placed Brewers

The Reds will probably be happy to have taken a point at the home of the automatic promotion-chasers, especially given that results elsewhere were largely favourable.

The Reds enjoyed the better of the first period at the Pirelli Stadium.

Adam Hammill curled an early effort narrowly over the top, while Ivan Toney went similarly close when he volleyed over when he really ought to have done better.

The Reds bossed proceedings, but they couldn’t find that crucial breakthrough.

Toney tried an ambitious overhead kick that went wide after he met a smart cross from the recalled Lloyd Isgrove.

Matty Palmer fluffed a half-chance for the disappointing Brewers, while Winnall then missed another very presentable chance when he scooped over the top from close range.

Lucas Akins went close for the hosts shortly after the resumption, while at the other end the Reds responded with Toney lashing just wide as he met a pinpoint Hammill free-kick.

As Burton finally appeared to be getting to grips, Calum Butcher thought he had done the trick when he fizzed a shot inches wide from the edge of the box.

Winnall almost nicked victory late on as he met Marc Roberts’ long throw-in, only to then clip a shot over the top.

Burton (4-1-4-1): McLaughlin; Edwards, Mousinho, Flanagan, Cansdell-Sherriff; Weir; Duffy, Palmer, Butcher, Akins; Beavon.

Subs: Bywater, Reilly, Naylor, Walker, O’Connor, Bennett, Choudhury.

Barnsley (4-4-2): Davies; Scowen, Roberts, Mawson, G Williams; Isgrove, Brownhill, Hourihane, Hammill; Toney, Winnall.

Subs: Townsend, Nyatanga, Chapman, Fletcher, Khan, McCourt, Tuton.

Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire).