BARNSLEY 1 (Hayes 36)
WEST BROM 1 (Koumas 30)
BARNSLEY had the better of a rip-roaring clash in front of the Sky cameras but had to settle for a point as a host of chances went begging.
Reds caretaker manager Simon Davey made just one change from the side that drew at Leeds with youngster Kyel Reid making his full debut on the left hand side of midfield. Grant McCann dropped to the bench.
Barnsley came out of the blocks flying and had a great chance with just two minutes on the clock after Leon Knight had been bundled over by Paul McShane. Brian Howard stepped up but sent his left-footed free kick inches over the top from 30 yards.
The Reds got in again two minutes later as Paul Hayes forced his way into the area before pulling the ball back but Daniel Nardiello could not get his shot on target from 12 yards. Hayes then blotted his copybook a little on ten minutes with a wild lunge on Kevin Phillips which left the striker in a heap and earned him a yellow card.
West Brom almost got it together on 12 minutes as Nigel Quashie broke from midfield but his low shot was straight at Nick Colgan.
The Baggies looked dangerous with balls in behind the Reds' full backs and Phillips almost got in on 18 minutes as he raced through onto Quashie's pass but was denied by an offside flag.
It was Nardiello's turn to get clean through a minute later as he brought the best from Hoult after breaking in behind Curtis Davies. The ball fell to Hayes who saw his low drive blocked on the line and the Baggies managed to clear before Nardiello could pounce inside the six yard box.
Nardiello got in again on 22 minutes as he took on Hayes' quick free kick before crashing a low shot off Hoult's hand and against the foot of the post.
Referee Tony Bates then angered the home crowd again on 24 minutes when he failed to book Quashie after his late, late challenge sent Howard tumbling. Quashie only had a lecture from the Staffordshire official.
West Brom snatched an undeserved lead on the half hour with their first really meaningful chance of the game as John Hartson's pass found Koumas in space and the Welshman lashed an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net from 18 yards.
The lead lasted all of six minutes as Howard's corner caused all sorts of problems when it cannoned back off the bar. The ball came back into the area and Hoult made a complete hash of collecting it to give Nardiello a chance 18 yards out. The striker's shot struck a defender but fell nicely for Hayes, who capped a fine first half display with a well-struck finish.
Hayes went inches away from a second on 41 minutes as he rose highest to meet Knight's cross but glanced his header just wide of the target.
Nardiello brought a save from Hoult on 44 minutes after he broke well onto Kyel Reid's pass before Hartson finally had a sight of goal a minute later but Colgan made a fine low save.
Nardeiello then tested Hoult again in the last minute of stoppage time with a curling free kick after Quashie had, yet again, committed a foul.
Barnsley were almost made to pay for standing off Hartson just 30 seconds after the restart when the striker crashed a 30-yarder against the upright. The ball fell out to Phillips, who shot goalward but it somehow managed to hit Colgan and bounce wide.
At the other end Hayes' trickery brought an opening for Togwell six yards from goal but the midfielder could only shin the ball high over.
The Reds should have been in front finally on 50 minutes as Kyel Reid's fine free kick found Knight in the six yard box but the striker could only glance his header wide.
Another chance went begging on 54 minutes as Bobby Hassell rose above his marker to meet Howard's corner but saw his header bounce an inch wide. Howard's corner on 56 minutes caused more problems as the Reds looked to get the goal their dominance deserved but this time Paul Reid could only head the wrong side of the post under pressure from Davies.
Yet another Howard corner gave Hoult problems on the hour mark as the West Brom keeper somehow managed to grab the ball at the second attempt despite the close attention of Knight, Nardiello and Hassell.
West Brom, who had been easily out played for most of the second half, suddenly sprang to life on 66 minutes as Koumas lashed a shot goalward and brought a fine save from Colgan.
Hartson again almost grabbed a goal on 70 minutes as he stole a yard on the Reds defence and smashed Quashie's cross against the bar but the striker was denied by an offside flag.
Phillips showed that he has lost none of his sharpness on 77 minutes as he raced into the area and beat Paul Reid to the ball before bringing a fine save from Colgan. From Koumas' corner Phillips again found space but fired wide.
Again the Reds came on strong with substitute Martin Devaney crossing well on 78 minutes but Nardiello could not get his header down from 12 yards out.
Barnsley were almost made to pay for a rare error by Hassell on 86 minutes as the defender lost the ball to Nathan Ellington, who hammered it goalward but Colgan managed to make the save at the second attempt.
BARNSLEY: Colgan, Hassell, Heckingbottom, Paul Reid, Togwell, Hayes, Knight (Richards 76), Howard, Austin, Kyel Reid (Devaney 72), Nardiello.
Subs: Letheren, Williams, McCann.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Hoult, Robinson, Davies, Quashie, Greening, Hartson (Carter 76), Gera (Ellington 67), Albrechtsen, Koumas, McShane (Clement 63), Phillips.
Subs: Steele, Hodgekiss.
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