Barnsley were looking to extend three back to back victories with a victory at Oakwell to send them further up the table.

The key players to this encounter proved to by ex Red Darren Barnard and ex Grimsby man Tony Gallimore.

On a bitterly cold afternoon there was little to warm the hearts of the Oakwell faithful as the Reds first half performance was pretty poor.

Both teams showed little quality but it was Grimsby who had the best scoring opportunities.  Michael Boulding found himself with time and space inside the box after 12 minutes but he fired his shot wide when it looked easier to score.

Good work by Campbell on the by-line Town's No8 send a low cross straight across the Barnsley goaline with Ilic beaten, but Onuora arrived too late and wasted a glorious chance.

Barnsley's best first half efforts fell to newcomer Jacob Burns but after good work by Betsy to tee him up at the edge of the box, the midfielder waited too long and his shot was charged down for a corner.

Carson made a strong run down the left flank and sent in a low cross that Burns connected with but sent his diving header narrowly wide of Davison's post.

With Rory Fallon on the bench it seemed a strange tactic for the Reds to continue to lob high balls to Barnsley's front two of Betsy and Rankin.  It was becoming annoying to the supporters with pleas from them to get the ball down and into feet.

Barnsley's best spell came in the last twenty minutes of the match following the introduction of striker Fallon.  The big striker gave Cas something to think about as the Reds picked up the pace.  Carson was instrumental in most of Barnsley best attacking moves before he was substituted late on.

In a frantic finale Davison denied Betsy's shot in a crowded Town penalty area and he then tipped over a looping Rory Fallon header.

Ex Barnsley player Darren Barnard threw the Reds a last minute lifeline to take all three points when he climbed all over Rankin in the area and Mr Wiley pointed to the spot.  Ex Grimsby man Tony Gallimore stepped up but drove his penalty wide and the chance for the three points was gone.

Two late penalty misses have cost the Reds four points at home this season and with the division so tight at the top they can ill afford to throw away any more late gifts.

Barnsley: Ilic, Crooks, Gallimore, Ireland, Handyside, Kay (Fallon), O'Callaghan, Carson (Hayward), Burns, Betsy and Rankin.

Attendance: 10,092