BARNSLEY 1 (Hayes 5)

DARLINGTON 0

BARNSLEY never got out of second gear throughout but still managed to cruise to a 1-0 victory over Darlington in the FA Cup First Round at Oakwell although there were some tense and worrying moments in the dying stages.

Reds boss Andy Ritchie made two changes to the side that beat Walsall last time out with Bobby Hassell and Martin Devaney coming into the starting eleven at the expense of Jacob Burns and Steven Watt. Burns missed the game through suspension and Watt had not been given clearance to play by Chelsea.

Darlington had former Reds Simon Johnson and Matty Appleby in their starting eleven with Neil Maddison on the bench.

The Reds were almost in front inside 30 seconds as the visitors were caught on the ball straight from the kick off when Marc Richards sent Paul Hayes clear and Matt Clarke had to be at his best to stop the striker racing in on goal.

Darlington responded and Neil Wainwright won a soft free kick from Neil Austin on four minutes. Ryan Valentine swung a hopeful ball into the area from the left and, although Clarke got his head on the ball, Nick Colgan was never troubled in the Reds goal.

Barnsley went straight down the other end and grabbed the lead as Richards again did well to send Hayes in behind and this time the former Scunthorpe striker lifted the ball over Sam Russell and into the net.

A string of corners finally brought a chance for Devaney on ten minutes as he drilled Stephen McPhail's cross goalward but a combination of Hayes and the Darlington back line managed to clear the ball.

A fantastic ball through the heart of the visitors defence by Chris Shuker sent Brian Howard in on 13 minutes and the midfielder did wonderfully well to lift the ball over a defender before Russell raced out to smother.

The Reds had a major scare on 19 minutes as Jonjo Dickman managed to scythe through Howard and McPhail in midfield although referee Phil Joslin played an advantage on both occasions.

Darlington threatened again on 20 minutes as Valentine's free kick caused problems but Anthony Peacock could not direct his volley anywhere near Colgan's goal.

Shuker got in again seven minutes later as he tricked his way past two defenders after taking on McPhail's inch perfect pass but managed to overrun the ball through to Russell.

Despite being out played, Darlington could have gone in level as Wainwright crashed a volley against the bar on 39 minutes despite looking to be yards offside behind the Reds defence.

A minute later Appleby was then lucky to escape a caution - or even worse - as he raised his hands into Richards' face after a free kick had been awarded to Darlington on the edge of their area.

Again Barnsley pressed with another Shuker corner catching the visitors out but this time McPhail saw his effort well blocked away.

Barnsley should have been further in front on 46 minutes as great play by McPhail and Devaney sent Richards racing into the area but the striker lashed his cross just in front of Hayes with the goal gaping. Devaney again showed his trickery three minutes later to beat three players and cross but Richards hammered the ball over on the volley from ten yards.

Substitute Robbie Williams was left thanking his lucky stars on 58 minutes as his misjudgement left Akpo Sodje in and the full back hauled the Darlington striker to the ground but the referee waved away the visitors appeals for a penalty.

At the other end McPhail sent a free kick inches over the top two minutes later after Devaney had been tripped. Another good flick by Richards gave Hayes half a chance on 66 minutes but this time Russell managed to get his body behind the ball and gather at the second attempt. Seconds later Nathan Jarman drilled a low shot wide of the target.

Hayes got in again on 68 minutes as he beat the offside trap to catch Devaney's through ball but this time a great last-ditch tackle b y Clarke denied him a certain goal. Devaney almost grabbed the second on 72 minutes as he drove at the Darlington defence before grazing the top of the bar with a well-struck shot.

The Reds were almost shaken out of their comfort zone on 83 minutes as substitute Guylain Ndumbu Nsungu brought a diving save from Colgan although his effort was more for the cameras than anything else.

Darlington finally came on in the closing stages with defender turned emergency striker Clarke glancing a header wide on 84 minutes and then the Quakers star hammered the ball off Colgan and the post seconds later. Ndumbu Nsungu was then cautioned on 87 minutes after throwing himself to the ground in a vain attempt to win a penalty after McPhail had cleared the ball.

Still Darlington pressed and Sheldon Martis was allowed time to run 40 yards forward on 89 minutes but thankfully dragged his shot wide of the target.

BARNSLEY: Colgan, Hassell, Hayes (Nardiello 71), McPhail, Howard, Austin, Kay (Williams 45), Shuker (Jarman 45), Tonge, Richards, Devaney.

Subs: Flinders, Laight.

DARLINGTON: Russell, Valentine, Kendrick, Appleby, Clark, Wainwright, Dickman (Stamp 74), Johnson, Martis, Sodje, Peacock (Ndumbu Nsungu 65).

Subs: Close, Maddison, Wright.