Barnsley 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday: On-loan striker Oliver McBurnie earns Barnsley a vital point in relegation scrap
21-year-old on loan from Swansea City saves the Tykes from fourth straight league defeat
BARNSLEY started life without Paul Heckingbottom with a 1-1 draw in a South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Wednesday at Oakwell.
Atdhe Nuhiu opened the scoring with a penalty kick for Wednesday before Oliver McBurnie hit back for the hosts, in their first outing since their manager took over as Leeds boss, as the game was settled in the first half.
It was a derby played at a frantic pace in the first half - and it took the Owls 18 minutes to find themselves the opening goal. Lucas Joao tangled with Tykes right back Andy Yiadom inside the area, and referee Lee Probert pointed to the penalty spot.
Nuhiu stepped up for the visitors and comfortably struck his spot kick down the middle to make it 1-0 after 18 minutes.
Before that Frederico Venancio had gone close, heading wide at the back post after Ross Wallace's corner was flicked on.
It was soon 1-1 as Barnsley equalised almost straight away following a wonderful individual run from McBurnie with 21 minutes gone.
The on-loan Swansea player skipped through the Wednesday defence and then got into the box before finding the bottom corner.
Both teams were playing on the front foot and there could have been more goals in a lively first half.
Lloyd Isgrove was causing problems down the right flank and he almost provided the Reds' second goal of the game - delivering the ball for Tom Bradshaw who saw a flicked effort denied by Joe Wildsmith after 33 minutes.
Barnsley were much the better team but spurned a host of chances at the beginning of the second half.
McBurnie and Yiadom both put opportunities over the bar, whilst Bradshaw's tame attempt was easy for Wildsmith.
With 54 minutes on the clock Barnsley were denied a strong appeal for a penalty. Adam Hammill got past Venancio and then looked to have been brought down by the Wednesday player, but a goal-kick was given.
The home side continued to press and McBurnie then went close again just before the hour mark on what was an impressive home debut. He managed to work space for an opening but Wildsmith made a good stop low down to his right.
There were few signs of life from Jos Luhukay's Wednesday in the second half but a rare moment of quality came from Wallace with just under half an hour remaining. He came inside and then hit a shot which curled inches wide of the far post.
Daniel Pinillos' free-kick for Barnsley was gathered at the second attempt by Wildsmith as the match entered its final 10 minutes.
Joey Pelupessy bent an effort wide late on for the Owls as the match finished all square.
