Barnsley were denied a priceless win after Coventry snatched a controversial last-gasp 1-1 draw.
Controversy reigns as Ward cancels out Bogdanovic opener
Barnsley were denied a priceless win in their battle to beat the drop after Coventry City snatched a controversial last-gasp 1-1 draw.
Simon Davey's Tykes appeared on course to take a major step towards survival in the Championship thanks to Daniel Bogdanovic's early goal.
However, Coventry pinched a point deep into added time when Elliott Ward stepped up to convert a controversially awarded penalty.
The Tykes went into the game with just one win from the last 10 matches and Davey was desperate for his side to breath some fresh life into their survival fight.
And he could not have hoped for a better start as his charges forged into an early lead with their first attack of the game, in just the ninth minute.
The recalled Jamal Campbell-Ryce went on a jinking run down the left, before crossing to Bogdanovic, who cut past Ward and fired into the bottom corner.
Barnsley's bright start to the game continued and Bogdanovic soon missed a gilt-edged chance to double the lead.
Embarrassing miss
Jon Macken laid the ball across goal for the unmarked Bogdanovic, who had the goal at his mercy, but the Maltese forward embarrassingly kicked at fresh air and Coventry cleared the danger.
Bogdanovic very nearly paid for his miss just minutes later as the Sky Blues almost levelled.
Daniel Fox put a dangerous cross into the box and Ward rose highest, but his thumping header crashed into the bar.
The opening exchanges of the second half were dominated by whistle-happy referee Steven Cook, who refused to let the game flow, but it burst into life on the hour mark.
First Barnsley's Hugo Colace forced Kieren Westwood into a stretching save from the edge of the box, and then Coventry replied with efforts from Michael Doyle and Freddy Eastwood.
With Barnsley keen to protect what they had, Coventry made life difficult for themselves and their constant square passing and lack of urgency incurred the wrath of the home support.
The anticipated home pressure never materialised and Barnsley were the side looking most likely to score in the final 10 minutes.
Bogdanovic fired a 25-yard effort over the bar and Macken missed a fine chance to seal the points, but he flashed Adam Hammill's cross inches wide.
Then deep into the five minutes of injury time, Eastwood saw his shot blocked at point-blank range and, with Cook allowing the game to continue, the linesman on the far side flagged and after a short discussion, Cook eventually pointed to the spot.
Ward stepped up to send the penalty down the middle and earn Coventry a point and leave Barnsley's players and officials fuming.