Barnsley FC 2 Bradford City 2: Late twist but Conor Hourihane remained the story at two clubs who do it differently

Exactly four weeks on, it arrived before a ball was kicked. Both events were intertwined.

The announcement that Hourihane would be leaving the Reds at the end of the season, by mutual consent, was a head-turner, just three hours before kick-off against Bradford City.

The timing was a surprise, but it was always likely to be a case of when not if.

For Hourihane, the beginning of the end came courtesy of his radio comments which followed the game with Doncaster Rovers on March 21.

The exasperated head coach, when asked about the Reds’ already slim play-off hopes being ended by a 1-0 defeat to Rovers, went further and said that Barnsley wouldn’t be a side pushing for the top six next year either.

It was an incendiary comment, but one borne out of frustration. The next weekend, it was reported that Barnsley’s playing budget will be substantially reduced in 2026-27.

Asked whether that interview contributed to Saturday morning’s announcement, Hourihane said: "Not necessarily….(But) I understand that people will probably point to kind of that interview or that comment or whatever. I can believe that's the conclusion that some people will make."

On a day when the talk should have been all about the game, it wasn’t, which was a shame. Hourihane couldn’t have been prouder of his players, after informing them of his exit just a few hours earlier.

For the second time this season, there was nothing to separate both sides after another engrossing 2-2 draw.

Comebacks, controversy, three milestone goals - including two from substitutes - late twists, even if it wasn’t the main story. A strange day.

Bradford will lament the concession of a 96th-minute equaliser; a maiden goal in Barnsley colours for late sub Leo Farrell.

Yet the overall picture is rosy at a club going in the right direction. City are nearly there in the play-offs, although not quite yet. Importantly, they remain in safe hands, led by a manager who has been allowed to build something real since November 2023.

Barnsley have had three head coaches in that time and are now looking for a fourth. Talks regarding Hourihane’s replacement are thought to be at an advanced stage.

The phrase that the manager/head coach is the most important person at a football club does not apply at Oakwell.

Barnsley remain a distance from the Championship; whereas Bradford will get there. Hopefully this season, but if not, they are a decent bet in the next couple.

Barnsley’s business is developing players to sell on over league position these days. Two players who Hourihane has brought on combined for his side’s stoppage-time leveller when Reyes Cleary teed up Halifax lad Farrell. A naive concession, Alexander rued.

It was Hourihane who was cursing earlier. Not at the eighth-minute dismissal of Vimal Yoganathan. His challenge in centre field on Ibou Touray was wild and worthy of a red card. It was also right in front of referee Charles Breakspear.

What he was furious about was the non-penalty award at 1-1 when Cleary tumbled in the box following Harrison Ashby’s lunge. It looked a stick-on penalty, but Breakspear elected to book the home player for simulation. ‘Obscene’, Hourihane blasted and he had a point.

Not too long after, Marc Roberts glanced a cross from Touray into his own net and that looked to be that until Farrell’s moment for the ages.

Three goals arrived after the break at Valley Parade, there were four here. Eoghan O’Connell’s maiden Reds goal got the ball rolling after heading home from Roberts’ booming long throw.

Despite having an extra man, City laboured, until a quadruple change energised them.

Their leveller was coming. It came from Nick Powell, who headed home a cross from ex-Red Stephen Humphrys, who cast aside the boos to impress on the resumption. It was Powell's first goal in Bradford colours. They soon led, but their 5,144 travelling hordes were quietened by West Yorkshire's Farrell, in front of his watching parents, including his tearful mum.

It was a nice story. Hourhane remained the story afterwards.

Barnsley: Goodman; O'Keeffe (Farrell 89), Roberts, O'Connell, Earl (de Gevigney HT); Bland, Yoganathan; Phillips (Connell 62), Kelly, Banks (Cleary 61); Bradshaw (Watson 79). Substitutes unused: Flavell, Shepherd.

Bradford City: Walker; Pennington (Sarcevic 66), Baldwin, Tilt; Neufville, Metcalfe (Lapslie 66), Power, Touray; Swan (Powell 66), Humphrys; Jackson (Sarcevic 66). Substitutes unused: Hilton, J Wright, Evans.

Referee: C Breakspear (Surrey).