Barnsley manager Michael Duff insists his side were denied two penalties in their 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers and that the Gas were indebted to the performance of goalkeeper James Belshaw.
Rovers frustrated the in-form Tykes to claim a third clean sheet in their last four matches, delivering further evidence that Joey Barton and his coaches have started to fix the defensive issues that have held them back for much of this season.
It was a fine rear-guard effort, with Belshaw making fine saves from Liam Kitching and Herbie Kane, Jarell Quansah and Lewis Gibson once again impressed as a centre-back pairing and the rest of the team were organised and disciplined in their work.
Barnsley had scored 13 goals in their previous four games leading into this fixture, winning all of them, but their promotion hopes were kept in check, although Duff was adamant they were denied two big decisions by referee Thomas Parsons.
The first occurred as Belshaw did especially well to parry away a Nicky Cadden cross destined for an unmarked James Norwood at the far post and as the loose ball fell to Devante Cole, Duff believed Gibson pulled the striker back as he shaped to shoot.
The second incident was towards the end of the game as Barnsley set about bombarding the Rovers penalty area and their manager insisted a hand helped the Gas in repelling the threat - although there were no clear signs of an infringement.
“You value the point and the clean sheet,” Duff told BBC Radio Sheffield. “We weren’t quite at our best, first half particularly, but ultimately, we’ve had two penalties not given and their goalkeeper’s got man of the match.
“We can’t be brilliant every week, we’ve come away to a difficult place and we’ll respect the point. We weren’t quite at it, we didn’t connect, we went long too quick, but you have got to give the opposition credit for stopping us.
“But within that, Herbie’s had an unbelievable chance and the goalkeeper, I have no idea how he has made the save in the first half, he’s come from nowhere.
“In the second half he has made a couple of good saves and I think we’ve fallen the wrong side of refereeing decisions again. Players’ reactions tell you everything, you don’t need to ask my opinion.
“Devante is about to pass the ball into the net from a yard out and there is a reason why he’s been pulled backwards. He’s not fallen over, the wind hasn’t blown him over.
“The referee says there is contact but not enough. Well, there is enough to knock him over so in my opinion, it’s a penalty.
“It is what it is. We can’t control the referee. He’s not the reason we drew, their goalkeeper was good, we weren’t clinical enough in moments, but big decisions in games this tight, you need to get that one right.
“The handball, I can’t see clearly but my players are telling me and there is no need for them to lie after the game. Their reaction tells you he has scooped the ball with his arm. It is what it is, it’s a good point away from home.”
With successive goalless draws against two promotion-contending sides and top-half teams Wycombe Wanderers, Shrewsbury Town, Portsmouth, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday still to visit the Mem, Barton is confident Rovers have developed the necessary steel to deny the division’s best attacks.
Having gone 11 games without a clean sheet between December 13 and February 14, they’re recorded three shutouts in a short period of time, part of which has coincided with the return of Belshaw between the posts but, as the manager highlighted Ellery Balcombe was in goal against Ipswich, and it’s been about honing the Gas’ collective defensive mentality and application.
“I don’t mean to take the shine off Belly’s performance but that’s three clean sheets in four games, and Ellery Balcombe was responsible for one of them against Ipswich,” Barton added, with Belshaw named man of the match.
“Competition for places and I know everyone didn’t understand why we did it but it’s got the desired result. We’ve now become a team capable of playing the better teams in the division and shutting them out.
“If we do that, with the potency and the attacking quality we’ve got, and the chance creation we have, it gives us a right platform to be successful.”
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