Jim O'Brien claims fourth of the term to equalise

BARNSLEY gain their first away point of the campaign as winger Jim O'Brien came off the bench to claim the equaliser against a disappointing Ipswich side.

Daryl Murphy had delighted the Portman Road faithful with his fourth of the season but Ipswich failed to build on their 41st-minute lead during a below-par second-half performance.

O'Brien equalised in the 70th minute and Barnsley were guilty of wasting some great chances to win the game before Ipswich left-back Aaron Cresswell was sent off on the final whistle for foul and abusive language as the game ended 1-1.

An action-packed last quarter was poles apart from a flat opening which saw neither side threaten to break the deadlock.

The pressure finally paid off four minutes before the interval when Cresswell's corner was met by the unmarked Murphy found the back of the net.

Out of nothing, the visitors went close to grabbing a shock equaliser on 50 minutes when Butland's long kick was neatly laid off by Marcus Pedersen and Chris O'Grady's powerful shot from 20 yards was parried around the post by Dean Gerken.

An equaliser looked likely and with 20 minutes left, Barnsley finally made the breakthrough.

Paddy McCourt's cross brushed the head of Tommy Smith and O'Brien neatly steered the ball beyond Gerken's despairing dive.

Finally, Ipswich mustered a great opportunity of their own with Frank Nouble inches away from connecting with Jay Tabb's shot as the match entered injury-time.

And the bustling frontman was left fuming after tumbling over a challenge Jean Yves Mvoto in the penalty area.

David Wright (Daily Express)