BBC SPORT | Football | League One (original) (raw)

Huddersfield's Danny Adams (l) holds off Martin Devaney

Barnsley will meet Swansea in the League One play-off final after earning a dramatic 3-2 aggregate victory.

Huddersfield led 1-0 from the first leg but Paul Hayes levelled the tie for the Tykes from the penalty spot after Danny Schofield fouled him in the area.

Paul Heckingbottom's own goal restored the Terriers' agggregate advantage but Paul Reid's cool header made it 2-2.

With 12 minutes left Paul Rachubka spilled Brian Howard's shot and Daniel Nardiello grabbed Barnsley's winner.

Peter Jackson's Huddersfield side had won at Oakwell to put themselves in the driving seat but Barnsley created enough chances early on to remind them that this tie was far from over.

Huddersfield had the first meaningful opening when Andy Booth volleyed a Danny Adams' cross narrowly over.

Moments later the Tykes threatened at the other end when Martin Devaney found space on the right but Terriers keeper Paul Rachubka pushed away his dangerous low cross.

The ball went straight up the other end and Nick Colgan had to race off his line to deny Jon Worthington with a smart block.

Barnsley were enjoying most of the possession but could not match their neat approach play when they got in front of goal.

Hayes had their best chance when he was gifted the ball by Nathan Clarke but Rachubka easily collected his low shot.

But the Tykes kept coming forward and got their reward in the second half.

Just before the hour mark Schofield was adjudged to have nudged Hayes in the back as he tried to meet Howard's ball into the box and from the resultant spot-kick, Hayes slotted home.

Barnsley's lead on the night lasted just seven minutes, Worthington did well to charge down Colgan's clearance and the ball trickled over the line despite Heckingbottom's best efforts.

That put Huddersfield 2-1 up on aggregate, but Reid levelled the tie again on 71 minutes, calmly nodding home after Bobby Hassell had headed a corner back across the face of goal.

And Nardiello was in the right place at the right time to grab the winner, knocking in the rebound after Rachubka could not hold Howard's shot from the edge of the box.

The Tykes will meet Swansea at the Millennium Stadium on 27 May.

Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson
"Obviously I'm disappointed about going out and there is not a lot I can say to hide that.

"I thought it was an even first half and definitely the turning point was the penalty, which I didn't think was one.

"Then there was a goal from a set piece and fumble by the goalkeeper. It probably sums up our season. I'm extremely disappointed for the players, fans, staff and directors at the club."

Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie
"I'm drained but I'm elated. It is great to be in a dressing room like that and I want to be in dressing rooms like that more times as a manager.

"I'm so pleased for the players, they worked their socks off over the two legs and the fans were brilliant again.

"It is the best thing I have ever done in my managerial career but hopefully it won't be the last thing I ever do."

Huddersfield: Rachubka, Adams, Nathan Clarke, McIntosh, Holdsworth, Schofield, Hudson (Brandon 82), Worthington, Taylor-Fletcher, Graham (Abbott 78), Booth. Subs Not Used: Senior, Mirfin, Ahmed.

Booked: Nathan Clarke.

Goals: Worthington 65.

Barnsley: Colgan, Heckingbottom, Kay, Reid, Hassell, Devaney, Howard, McPhail, Hayes, Richards (Wright 86), Nardiello (Shuker 90). Subs Not Used: Flinders, McParland, Tonge.

Booked: Nardiello.

Goals: Hayes 58 pen, Reid 71, Nardiello 78.

Agg (2-3)

Att: 19,223

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).

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