Barnsley 1 Hull City 1: Kilbane earns point for Tigers

Not content with being the clear winner of Goal of the Year last season for a peach of a strike against Derby County, the 22-year-old is now in danger of making this year's award his sole preserve once again.

After netting a sublime strike against Middlesbrough in August, Hammill capped a slalom-style run through the Leeds United defence the following month with a polished finish.

Now, however, he may have outdone even that impressive effort against Leeds with another truly amazing goal against a side from within the Broad Acres.

Not only did Hammill show tremendous skill and agility to beat Hull City debutant Liam Rosenior after being found by an excellent cross-field pass from Nathan Doyle on 24 minutes.

But, once within sight of goal, he hit an unstoppable 30-yard shot that flew over Matt Duke and into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

It would have been a strike worthy of winning any game, though much to Hammill's disappointment not on this occasion as Kevin Kilbane's 72nd-minute equaliser ensured a share of the spoils for the resilient visitors.

The former Liverpool trainee said: "The lads were a little bit down in the dressing room about not winning the game. If anything, it felt like a defeat.

"We had numerous chances towards the end but the ball just wouldn't drop for us. It hit the crossbar and came out, then their goalkeeper made a terrific save.

"It was disappointing but there were still a lot of positives to take from the performance as I thought we showed the world what we are capable of doing."

Hammill's pride at Barnsley's performance was understandable, Mark Robins's side showing why a visit to Oakwell is fast becoming one of the toughest away days in the Championship.

This was particularly the case during a first half that saw the visitors' midfield dominated to such an extent that Nigel Pearson's response was to make two substitutions during the interval.

By then, Barnsley were ahead thanks to Hammill's wonder goal and Hull in danger of being given a good hiding.

That they didn't is a credit to not only Pearson's half-time tweaking of personnel and formation but also the resilience of his players.

A much-improved City came within a whisker of equalising 11 minutes after the restart when one of those two half-time substitutions, Caleb Folan, was played through by Tom Cairney.

As Luke Steele raced from his line, Folan then bravely nipped in to lift the ball over the Reds' goalkeeper and towards goal.

Unfortunately for the Tigers striker, his shot looped against the crossbar and bounced to safety.

Worst of all though, Folan suffered a knee injury in the inevitable collision with Steele that followed his winning of the race to the ball by a split second.

Due to Hull having made three substitutions already – Nick Barmby had been forced out of the action with a hamstring strain inside half an hour – it meant the Tigers had to play the final third of the game with effectively 10 men.

With Folan reduced to limping around the field forlornly, a team who had not won in five games could have been forgiven for thinking it was once again not going to be their day.

Huge credit, therefore, should go to Pearson's men for the manner in which they remained strong to claim a point.

The equaliser came on 72 minutes when, after Barnsley had failed to clear a Cairney free-kick, KiIbane fired through a crowd of players to send the visiting fans into raptures.

Momentarily stunned to have been pegged back by what was destined to be Hull's only on-target effort of the game, Robins's side responded by laying siege to the visitors' goal in the closing stages.

There was, however, to be no fairytale ending for the hosts as referee Andy D'Urso waved away what appeared to be strong appeal for a penalty when Dawson tugged Jim O'Brien to the floor.

Hammill said: "I played the ball in for Jim, who was then pulled back. From where I was it certainly looked like a penalty."

Even after that disappointment, Barnsley still found time to twice go close in a pulsating finale when only a combination of City goalkeeper Matt Duke, Dawson and the crossbar kept the ball out after Paul Hayes had met an O'Brien cross at the back post.

Then, as the game moved into stoppage time, Duke denied Hammill with a fine save. It was rough on the Reds, though perhaps something of a blessing in terms of injecting a competitive edge into the club's Goal of the Year award.

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Adam Hammill

Another wonder goal from the in-form Barnsley man capped an impressive display. Ensured that Liam Rosenior was never able to rest on his City debut and could have snatched a dramatic late winner with a run and shot that Matt Duke did superbly to save.

Villain: Andy D'Urso

At least in the eyes of the home fans after turning down what appeared to be a strong appeal for a penalty when Jim O'Brien was tugged down by Andy Dawson.

Key moment

89th minute: An almighty scramble in the Hull six-yard box sees a combination of the crossbar, Andy Dawson and Matt Duke keep the ball out of the net after Paul Hayes had met O'Brien's searching right wing cross.

Ref watch

Ksdall: Andy D'Urso. After a solid first half display, the Essex official's afternoon turned sour courtesy of several debatable decisions, including the failure to award a penalty that left Barnsley so incensed.

Verdict

An enthralling second half that saw City equalise and then withstand a late rally from the home side to gain a point. If anyone deserved to win it was Barnsley but the visitors deserve credit for not buckling.

Quote of the day

It would be nice to get a tap-in.

Adam Hammill's understated response to scoring yet another contender for 'Goal of the Season'.

Next game

Barnsley v Leicester City; Hull City v Scunthorpe United. Both Saturday November 6, 2010; Championship.

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