ROVERS slipped five points behind the play-off places after they had to settle for a 2-2 draw at basement boys Barnsley.

The Tykes opened the scoring against the run of play in the 29th minute courtesy of a superb finish from debutant Nick Proschwitz.

But Rovers equalised nine minutes later with an equally impressive strike from Tom Cairney before Rudy Gestede, following a brilliant run from David Dunn, put them in front a minute before the break.

Having totally controlled proceedings in the opening period, Rovers were unable to ram home their advantage after the restart and Chris O’Grady brought spirited Barnsley level in the 69th minute from a hotly disputed penalty which left boss Gary Bowyer and his players seething.

Bowyer said: “The negative of this evening, other than the (penalty) decision, was the fact we should have been three or four (goals) up.

“It’s just the penalty decision that has stopped us coming away with all three points – and it’s as simple as that.”

For a full report see tomorrow’s Lancashire Telegraph.

Barnsley: Steele, Cranie, Ramage, Nyatanga (Cywka 55), Kennedy, Shea, Dawson (Digby 46), O’Brien, Jennings (Lawrence 62), O’Grady, Proschwitz. Subs not used: Dibble, McCourt, M’voto, Noble-Lazarus.

Booked: Dawson.

Goals: Proschwitz 29, O’Grady 69pen.

Rovers: Robinson, Henley, Hanley, Kilgallon, Spurr, Lowe, Williamson (King 77), Cairney, Dunn (Taylor 64), Rhodes, Gestede. Subs not used: Eastwood, Kane, Olsson, Morris, Mahoney.

Booked: Lowe.

Goals: Cairney 36, Gestede 44.

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge.

Attendance: 9,703 (720 away).