The visitors began proceedings on a fine April afternoon, and it was Andy Ritchie's men who enjoyed the majority of the early possession, the best chance for the Seasiders saw Keigan Parker's teasing cross elude Gareth Williams.

Lee Jones first real taste of the action saw the big Welshman punch clear Brain Howard's swirling free kick.

The visitors should have taken the lead on seven minutes when Danny Nardiello shrugged off Rob Edwards to get on the end of a long punt forward, Nardiello took a touch but will have been disappointed with his tame finish.

A Rory Prendergast free kick forced Nick Colgan to punch behind for a corner on 12 minutes, Prendergast trotted across and took the resulting corner short to Jason Wilcox who saw his first time cleared by the Tykes defence, seconds later Keigan Parker's excellent cross once again just eluded the waiting Gareth Williams.

Danny Nardiello forced Keith Southern to put behind for a corner on 17 minutes, once again Lee Jones got a hand to punch clear Brian Howard's effort from the right flank.

In what was becoming an end to end game, Pool forced a corner when Rory Prendergast's teasing cross was turned behind on 19 minutes but once again the visitors defence stood firm and cleared the danger.

Keigan Parker's mazy run came to an abrupt end by Austin some 20 yards from goal, the diminutive Scot dusted himself down and curled a wonderful effort over the wall and beyond Colgan to give Pool the lead.Lee Jones did well to take a Mark Richards flick mid way through the half as Barnsley looked to cancel Parker's great strike.

Chris Shuker tested Lee Jones from distance on 27 minutes after the former man fired first time following Richards knockdown.

Danny Nardiello picked up the games first booking following a series of niggling fouls.
The visitors were forced into a change when Bobby Hassell replaced Neil Austin on 34 minutes.

Keigan Parker's persistence earned Pool a corner eight minutes before the break, but once again Barnsley cleared Prendergast's teasing corner.

Three minutes before the break Pool almost doubled their lead when Gareth Williams headed straight at Colgan after Keigan Parker had out smarted one time Pool target Paul Heckingbottom.

Danny Nardiello fired just over after some patient build up play down the Pool right.

Half Time Blackpool 1 Barnsley 0

Gareth Williams forced Pool an early corner in the second period, once again Rory Prendergast crossed and once again Barnsley cleared.

Barnsley found themselves back on level terms on 53 minutes when BRIAN HOWARD bundled home after a brilliant save had denied Nardiello.

Following the goal Barnsley stepped up a gear and looked good value for a second whereas Pool's foray's forward often broke down with a poor final ball or bad decision. Richards squandered a great chance midway through the half the former Blackburn man found himself through on goal but could only direct his finish over the bar. That was to be Richards last taste of the action as he was replaced soon after by Tommy Wright who was greeted by a chorus of boos from the Pool faithful.

Peter Clarke picked up a yellow card following a piece of great acting from Nardiello, the free kick some 25-yards out saw curl one just wide of Lee Jones left hand post.

With 19 minutes remaining Pool wasted a golden opportunity when Marcus Bean scuffed a shot just wide with the keeper beaten.

That missed chance brought Pool back to life, Ciaran Donnelly saw a shot blocked as far as Williams who forced Barnsley to scramble behind for a corner, the resulting Rory Prendergast effort was once again well dealt with by the Barnsley defence.

Pool made a double change with eleven minutes remaining with Keith Lasley and Matthew Blinkhorn replacing Ciaran Donnelly and Gareth Williams.

Keigan Parker and Reid picked up booking with nine minutes left after an off the ball incident.

Anthony Kay became the third Barnsley player in the referees book seven minutes from time after he hacked Keigan Parker wide on the right. Rory Prendergast stepped and having exchanged a quick on two with Marc Joseph swung a cross which caused the Tykes all sorts of problems, eventually the visitors cleared behind for a corner. The resulting corner failed to trouble the Barnsley defence.

Keigan Parker fired straight at Colgan after Keith Lasley sliced open the Tykes with a great throughball, but the visitors stopper was equal to the challenge.

A great show of strength from Matt Blinkhorn earned Pool a corner with two minutes remaining, Prendergast once again stepped and once again Barnsley cleared.

Rory Prendergast was fouled as he looked to get past his man, he stepped up to cross the resulting free kick to the head of Marc Joseph who nodded over from 10 yards.

At the other end substitute Devaney saw a daisy cutter skip just wide of his right hand post.

In stoppage time Barnsley captain Paul Reid was shown a straight red after he sent Keigan Parker sprawling with the sponsors' man of the match through on goal, Parker stepped up and saw his effort fly just over the bar.

Steve McPhail picked up a yellow card after Rory Prendergast was left sprawling in front of the visitors dug out and that was to be the final action of an excellent Roses contest.

Pool: Jones, Joseph, Clarke, Edwards, Wilcox, Donnelly (Lasley 79), Bean, Southern, Prendergast, Williams (Blinkhorn 79), Parker Subs Not Used: Pogliacomi, Wiles, Stockley.