Barnsley missed out on a sixth straight league win as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Accrington Stanley on Monday.

James Norwood got an early goal but the hosts levelled with a disputed penalty in the second half.

The Reds were not at their best, especially in the second half, but created the better chances overall.

They remain fourth in League One, 11 points off the top two with two games in hand, and three points clear in the play-offs.

The only change from the win over Burton Albion saw former Accrington loanee Adam Phillips come in for Matty Wolfe after returning from illness.

The opener came in the eighth minute when after Phillips headed on a long ball and got it back from Jordan Williams, then crossed for Norwood to flick in at the near post for his first goal in nine games since September.

Barnsley were on top for the next 20 minutes but did not create a clear chance then Joe Pritchard almost levelled when unmarked from a Mitch Clark cross but headed straight at Brad Collins who saved easily. At the other end seconds later, Devante Cole chipped over the bar from a tight angle on the left.

Collins had to tip over an attempted cross by Ethan Hamilton on the left then Phillips’ shot from the right wing was pushed out of the top right corner for the first in a series of corners at the end of the first half.

Barnsley had been the better and more threatening side in the first half but did not create a clear chance for the second goal.

Connell was taken off at half-time having been booked then spoken to again by the referee, with Wolfe replacing him and Herbie Kane moving into holding midfield.

The Reds had two big chances early in the second half with Cadden seeing a 12-yard shot saved after being played in on the left of the box then, from the resulting low corner, Cole shot over from two yards out leaning back.

Accrington’s Shaun Whalley dragged a shot across goal from the right of the box then, at the other end, Kitching’s low 30-yard shot was scrambled away.

The hosts levelled just after the hour with a penalty by Tommy Leigh awarded by referee Rebecca Welch for a handball in the box.

Collins clawed out a home corner from his top right corner then Cole’s close-range header from a Robbie Cundy cross was easily caught by the home goalkeeper. Barnsley then saw claims for a penalty for a foul on Kitching waved away.

Cadden blazed a tough volleyed chance over the bar 15 yards out from a Phillips cross.

Phillips then had a huge chance in the 80th minute when he was played clean through but goalkeeper Toby Savin sprang to his left to make a fine one-on-one save. The visitors had a succession of set pieces and crosses late on but could not score.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Collins; Cundy, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, Connell (Wolfe HT), Kane, Phillips Cadden; Cole, Norwood (Martin 75).

Unused: Walton, Larkeche, Moon, Aitchison, Jalo.

Yellow cards: Connell, Cundy.

Goals: Norwood 8.

Accrington (3-5-2): Savin, Astley, Fernandes, Rodgers; Clark (Longelo HT), Coyle, Pritchard, Conneely, Hamilton; Whalley (Woods 75), Leigh (Perritt 88).

Unused: Jensen, Nolan, Martin.

Yellow cards: Conneely.

Goals: Leigh 61 (pen).