Barnsley 1 West Brom 1 – Report and pictures

The Baggies – who remain top of the Championship – wanted to send out a statement at Oakwell and got off to a fantastic start, with Filip Krovinovic finding the net after an error from Sami Radlinger.

But the Tykes – scrapping at the other end of the table – went on to dominate large spells of the clash.

Despite a sublime showing from Johnstone, the home side levelled the scores in the 90th minute, with Aapo Halme converting from point-blank range.

Slaven Bilic will be looking for a lot more next time out, against Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on Sunday, despite making it 14 unbeaten – the club's longest run since 1901/02.

Albion made four changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Brentford last weekend, with Ahmed Hegazi returning to the starting line-up after being dropped for that game over a training ground incident.

Kieran Gibbs, Charlie Austin and Krovinovic were the others who came in, while Kyle Bartley missed out with an injury picked up against the Bees. Nathan Ferguson was also not in the squad.

The table-topping Baggies were keen to impose their will early on, and they took the lead in a matter of minutes.

A belated Christmas gift came from Barnsley keeper Radlinger, whose attempted clearance only went as far as Krovinovic. The Croatian then gobbled up the opportunity, taking a touch to set himself before lofting the ball into the net from outside of the box.

It was a top finish from Krovinovic as he opened his Albion account, and it looked like they were going to get another.

Bilic's charges were passing it around confidently and accurately. Hal Robson-Kanu forced Bambo Diaby into a handball – and booking as a result – as he looked to spin clear of the Tykes defence.

But it was Barnsley who went on to have the best chances before half-time.

The Baggies had Johnstone to thank for some superb saves. Firstly, he got off his line quickly and stood tall to deny Cauley Woodrow from close range – before a Conor Chaplin strike was blocked.

Johnstone, a few moments later, raced across his line to keep out a Jacob Brown effort with his fingertips. He saved a Chaplin drive just prior to the break too while Mads Andersen smacked the crossbar with a header, leaving the hosts wondering how they had not come up with a leveller.

Albion did have a chance to double their advantage as the interval approached. Austin latched onto a loose ball and tried to lob Radlinger, but the Tykes No.1 was able to make the stop.

Ultimately, though, the Baggies breathed a sigh of relief as the first 45 came to an end, with the 3,579 travelling fans chanting 'There's only one Sam Johnstone' as the players went down the tunnel.

At the start of the second period, Radlinger was still taking risks despite his howler for Krovinovic's goal.

He waited for Austin to race towards him before turning and clearing, but the striker almost intervened.

Barnsley were guilty of overplaying on occasions at the back. However, they were threatening going forward. Brown tried his luck again but saw his shot deflect high into the air before Johnstone was able to gather.

Johnstone was soon forced into another save as well. Luke Thomas drifted inside from the right flank – taking on a few in yellow and green along the way – and unleashed a left-footed curler from the edge of the area. It was a fine hit, but not enough to beat Johnstone – getting a strong hand to it.

Only one side looked like scoring, so Bilic made a switch just after the hour mark, with Kenneth Zohore replacing Austin in attack.

But the trend – the Tykes dominating possession and constantly surging forward – continued.

Krovinovic, who was Albion's best outfield player in the first half, started to tire in the middle of the park. Matheus Pereira struggled to get on the ball, too.

It was not long before Bilic decided to make another change, with veteran Gareth Barry replacing Krovinovic for the final quarter of an hour.

And seconds after that substitution, the Baggies had their first meaningful opportunity of the second half. Pereira fizzed a corner towards the penalty spot, where centre-half Semi Ajayi got the power, but not the precision – the half-volley sailing comfortably over the crossbar.

Zohore also worked himself a yard to have a crack at goal. A sharp counter-attack saw the ball worked wide to Romaine Sawyers, and he cut the ball back to the target man, who failed to whip the ball into the corner and instead put his effort a few yards wide.

Barnsley were still causing problems, though, with centre-half Diaby becoming a centre forward – and they got the equaliser, which on the balance of play they deserved.

Halme had the simple task of poking the ball in from a few yards out after Chaplin's low cross into the danger zone.

Albion's players were dejected after the final whistle, with Hegazi kneeling with his head in his hands. The hosts, though, were well worth a point.

For the Baggies, the onus is on beating Boro after successive 1-1 draws.

Key Moments

05 - GOAL! Albion take an early lead at Oakwell as Krovinovic pounces on a mistake from Radlinger. The Barnsley keeper's awful attempt at a clearance falls to the Croatian, who picks his spot and finishes from long range for the visitors.

19 - Johnstone to the rescue for the Baggies, coming out and standing tall to deny Woodrow. Chaplin then has an effort blocked for the hosts. Top work from Johnstone.

61 - Johnstone comes up with the goods once again, getting across his line to tip away a curler from Thomas. He has been in fine form for Albion.

90 - Goal. Barnsley come up with a leveller at the death as Halme pokes the ball in from close range. Nothing Johnstone can do this time around.

Teams

Barnsley (4-3-1-2): Radlinger; Williams, Diaby, Andersen, Odour; Halme, Thomas, Woodrow; Mowatt (c) (Bahre, 90); Brown, Chaplin (Schmidt, 72)

Subs not used: Collins (gk), Williams, Dougall, Sibbick, Simoes

Goal: Halme (90)

Albion (4-3-3): Johnstone; Furlong, Hegazi, Ajayi, Gibbs (Townsend, 89); Sawyers, Livermore (c), Krovinovic (Barry, 76); Pereira, Austin (Zohore, 62), Robson-Kanu

Subs not used: Bond (gk), O'Shea, Phillips, Edwards

Goal: Krovinovic (05)

Attendance: 17,049 (3,579 Albion)

Referee: Tony Harrington (Teesside)