Barnsley 0 Notts County 0

Last updated : 26 August 2002 By Footymad Previewer

A lack of the killer touch against Notts County cost Barnsley the chance of gaining their third straight win.

The Tykes, eager to get back to the first division at the first attempt, had been in the goals at Luton on Saturday, grabbing a 3-2 win, but they fired blanks against visitors County.

Striker Mike Sheron, a hero at Kenilworth Road, was the villain here with a dreadful second-half miss.

Man-of-the-match Dean Gorre, showed quick thinking with a 52nd minute free-kick to send Sheron clean through but he skied his shot well over the bar.

Some of Barnsley's approach play was a joy to behold but it certainly was not matched by their finishing.

They had 17 goal attempts but managed only one on target.

That came in the first half when captain Chris Morgan got above Craig Ireland to send in a close-range header that was well claimed by County keeper Stuart Garden.

County had almost grabbed a lead in the very first minute. A rare mistake by Keith Curle let in Danny Allsopp who cut inside Morgan but saw his left-foot shot well saved by Andy Marriott.

It was Barnsley however who controlled the flow of the game and Bruce Dyer should have scored in the 10th minute but headed over from eight yards.

Kevin Betsy then drilled a left-footer into the sidenetting and fellow midfielder Chris Lumsdon sent a lovely 25-yarder inches wide of the far post.

Barnsley lost Paul Gibbs with concussion early in the second half but his replacement, New Zealand nternational Dave Mulligan provided a real threat down the right.

Gorre fired just wide in the 66th minute before Mulligan was inches away with a terrific chip to the far post.

County remained dangerous on the break, with substitute Ian Richardson heading just wide and Mark Stallard firing fiercely over.

Barnsley went looking for a late winner and Mulligan was just off-target with a tremendous left-footer from 20 yards.

Four minutes from time Dyer turned superbly, but failed to take a first-time shot and Nick Fenton got across to make a vital interception