NOTHING could separate Barnsley and Bolton as the Reds held on for a 0-0 draw this afternoon.
Tempers threatened to boil over on a number of occasions during the game, but a resilient Reds team managed to pick up a point on the road against tough opposition.
Barnsley head coach Michael Duff made two changes to the side that lost 2-0 at home to Exeter last time out - as both Ziyad Larkeche and Tom Edwards made the starting 11.
It was the former’s first start in the league this season since arriving on loan from Fulham.
He replaced Nicky Cadden who dropped to the bench.
Edwards replaced an injured Jordan Williams who was already an injury doubt for today’s game.
The away side almost grabbed the opener just a minute into the game, but Collins did well to turn the ball away for a corner after a James Norwood mistake.
Bolton, who have the best defence in League One, showed their skill at the back - rarely giving either of the three Reds attackers a sniff in the final third.
The first real chance of the game fell to Bolton, when Jack Iredale’s cross was missed by Brad Collins - but fortunately neither of the home side’s strikers could get onto the end of it.
Both James Norwood and Ziyad Larkeche were booked in the space of five minutes midway through the first half.
The latter was lucky to stay on the pitch as he was the last men when pulling down the Bolton forward.
It resulted in a fierce Afolayan free kick, but it went high and wide of Brad Collins in the Barnsley net.
The Reds then thought they had taken the lead just minutes later, when Norwood chipped the ball into the Bolton net - but he was adjudged to have been offside.
Ten minutes later and Devante Cole skipped past three or four Bolton players before being pulled down by a defender - but the referee gave nothing.
Two minutes before half time and Bolton should have taken the lead.
Bodvarsson somehow failed to turn the ball home from close range - it looked harder to miss.
The Reds finished the second half the stronger, forcing their first corner - but nothing came from it and they went in at the break drawing 0-0.
Eight minutes into the second half and the Reds came close to taking the lead.
Luca Connell shot from range as he saw ‘keeper Trafford off his line - but it sailed over the bar.
James Norwood, who was free through the middle, was screaming for the ball.
Dion Charles then somehow missed an open goal from two yards out - it was another huge let off for the Reds defence who had been testing their luck all game.
Kyle Dempsey came on for the home side in the 67th minute and was booked seconds later for a foul 30 yards out.
Josh Benson took the free kick and, after lining up the ball for a solid minute, his tame effort rolled wide of the Bolton goal.
It was the story of the game as the match ended up turning into a scrappy affair.
Ex-Bolton player Luca Connell was booed from three sides of the stadium but received a standing ovation from the Reds fans as he slowly walked off the pitch - as he soaked in the home support’s reaction.
Barnsley’s best chance of the game came with just three minutes remaining.
Nicky Cadden floated a superb ball in, and found James Norwood free in the box - but his header is just over the bar.
The game ended 0-0 and it was a hard earned point for Michael Duff’s side.
