Barnsley

Oxford United had 35 shots and 76 per cent of the ball against a Barnsley side who played with ten men from the ninth minute. They came away from Oakwell with a point. A crowd of 9,415 saw it. For Aaron Ramsey's side, it will feel like two points dropped.

Barnsley had started the afternoon in the bottom four, on a run of six straight defeats. When referee Oliver Mackey showed Jack Shepherd a straight red card after nine minutes, for a late and aggressive tackle on Louie Sibley, a seventh looked likely. Tobi Adeyemo was sacrificed for Jubril Okedina three minutes later, and Oxford set up camp in the Barnsley half.

Slicker stands tall

Cieran Slicker was busy early, saving from Tyler Goodrham at close range on 14 minutes, while Siriki Dembélé dragged one just wide. Mark Harris forced another save from distance. Then, out of nothing, the ten men went ahead.

On 32 minutes Reyes Cleary broke quickly and played in Okedina, who squared it for Vimal Yoganathan to sweep past Jamie Cumming. It was Barnsley's first shot on target.

Oxford spent the rest of the half shooting into bodies. Louie Sibley and Kai Andrews had shots blocked in stoppage time, and Brodie Spencer headed wide from six yards.

The siege, and a breakaway

Ramsey sent on Aidomo Emakhu and Peter Kioso at the break, and the chances kept coming. Harris headed two wide in three minutes and Goodrham rattled the crossbar from distance. Slicker saved from Emakhu, and he kept out another Goodrham effort from more than 35 yards. Jack Currie forced another fine stop.

The equaliser came on the hour, and it came on the break. Harris finished from the middle of the box after a fast Oxford counter and good work from Emakhu.

That should have been the cue for the winner. Slicker saved from Emakhu again, then from Sam Long. Dembélé sent one just past the top corner, and Gatlin O'Donkor headed fractionally too high.

A late red for Oxford

Barnsley's only chance of a smash-and-grab came from Rylan Brownlie, who had a shot saved by Jamie Cumming on 84 minutes. Four minutes later Brownlie burst clear again, Cumming came far off his line to tackle him out wide, and he was shown a straight red. Simon Eastwood came on in goal for Dembélé.

Even then, Oxford pressed through six added minutes. Emakhu, Currie and Mo Missanga all had shots blocked. Barnsley held on.

The numbers are almost absurd: 35 shots to 11, ten on target to two, 14 corners to four. Slicker made eight saves. Oxford are now unbeaten in nine League One games, but this is one they will think they should have won.

"I expected a yellow card"

Daniel Stendel's side had lost six in a row. This one felt different.

I'm really proud. It was a big hit early in the game against us but our reaction was great. I am 80 yards away but I expected a yellow card and not a red card.

Daniel Stendel, Barnsley head coach

We tried some things in training, but I think the biggest change for the heads today was the applause after 1-1. It was a good feeling.

Daniel Stendel, Barnsley head coach

Ramsey was left frustrated, and disagreed with the decision that sent off his goalkeeper.

I'm obviously very disappointed and frustrated because it was a good opportunity for us. But it's another point and it keeps the momentum going.

Aaron Ramsey, Oxford United boss

I haven't seen a replay but I thought he got the ball. I don't know if that was why the ref gave the red card, if he thought there was more force. But I thought it was a good challenge.

Aaron Ramsey, Oxford United boss, on Cumming's red card