WATFORD lost out 1-0 to Barnsley at Oakwell this afternoon in a game of few chances in Yorkshire.

The Reds took the lead 10 minutes after the interval when Emil Hallfredsson smashed an effort past Scott Loach.

Watford were largely frustrated in front of goal and didn't force home goalkeeper Luke Steele into too many saves all afternoon.

The Hornets put some late pressure on the home side but even with three forwards on at the full time whistle they were unable to break down the resilient Barnsley defence.

Barnsley were reduced to 10 men when defender Ryan Shotton was presented with a straight red card by referee Fred Graham with 14 minutes left.

Steele pulled off a wonder save in time added on as he turned Henri Lansbury's 30 yard free kick round the post and then with seconds left the ball trickled past his post as Watford threw bodies into the crowded penalty area.

The 'Orns had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half while sub Danny Graham's late effort was ruled out for a foul - meaning the Hornets had little luck on the day.

On a freezing, foggy day in Yorkshire the Golden Boys came up against their second opponents from this part of the country in the last five days.

After Tuesday's morale boosting home victory over Sheffield United, Malky's men were now on the hunt for their first maximum points total away from home since October.

The manger was dealt a blow before the game with the news that influential midfielder Tom Cleverley was missing through an injury picked up during the week.

Former Chelsea man Jon Harley came into the starting XI and occupied the left flank.

Martin Taylor continued at the heart of defence alongside club captain Jay DeMerit.

New signing Stephen McGinn was on the bench once more after arriving from Scotland during the transfer window.

It was a scrappy start to the Championship affair with the ball spending a large amount of time in the air as both teams fought for possession in the centre of the park.

John Eustace goes into a tackle

With five minutes on the clock the home side had the first shot at Loach in the Watford goal.

Barnsley swept the ball from left to right and it ended up at the feet of Filipe Teixeira and his effort deflected off Lloyd Doyley, but Loach was in the perfect position and plucked the ball out of the air.

There were plenty of spirited challenges flying around the park with Darren Moore timing one to perfection after Ross Jenkins was nearly released after a neat lay-off from Heidar Helguson.

In the 12 minute, DeMerit was let off the hook after he came second best in a challenge just outside the Watford box, but Anderson De Silva couldn't get the ball past the first defender into the box.

A minute later Loach was forced to clatter into his own centre half Taylor as a high ball came into the area.

Loach punched the ball clear and went through the centre half. His clearance could only reach a home player though as Hallfredsson hit the ball hopefully but with Loach racing back it went the wrong side of the post.

Teixeira rifled a shot wide of Loach's post following a corner kick as Barnsley enjoyed the better chances during the opening exchanges.

Doyley charges forward

Just after the 20 minute mark, Harley clipped an effort wide of the Barnsley goal following an attack down the Hornets left flank.

Harley had started well for the Golden Boys and after a forward run by Doyley he found Harley in the box and his first time effort sailed wide of Steele's left hand post.

Barnsley's 'keeper Steele was forced to slide along the ground and smother the ball in the 24 minute as Cowie put the goalkeeper under pressure.

His body was eventually partly outside the box and despite the cries from the travelling support behind the goal for an infringement, referee Fred Graham waved played on.

Watford were doing all they could to put under pressure as the home 'keeper struggled with a number of back passes and kicks during the first half.

As the Hornets started to impose themselves on the game more around the half hour mark there were sounds of restlessness from the home crowd. Mark Robins' side was struggling to keep hold of the ball and they were being pegged back by the Golden Boys.

The Watford supporters were appealing for a spot-kick on 38 minutes as Lansbury went tumbling in the area after a tidy one-two with Helguson.

It was a great forward surge from the England Under-21 midfielder but he was always struggling to get to the return ball in the face of some determined defenders.

Henri Lansbury is brought down

Just moments earlier Lansbury had done down in midfield after a heavy challenge on him and the Watford bench and supporters were convinced the Golden Boys should have had a free kick.
 
Two minutes of added time was played at the end of the first period but neither club could take advantage and as they left the pitch the score was 0-0.

Four minutes after the re-start Harley was adjudged to be offside following a ball though from Helguson.

Harley had made a terrific run to speed past the Iceland striker, he had options with Mariapa also running into the area - but Harley looked the best option and with Steele running out he would have only had to dink the ball over the goalkeeper.

In the 52 minutes Jenkins played in a lovely ball in across the face of the six-yard box but Helguson couldn't get the necessary touch to put the ball over the line.

Barnsley rattled Loach's post in the 54 minute after a superb 30 yard effort from Nathan Doyle.

He made a terrific connection with the ball and struck it first time. That sparked the home crowd into life as they raised the noise levels.

They were celebrating less than a minute later as Barnsley opened the scoring.

Hallfredsson smashed the ball past Loach after he dinked past Mariappa and once inside the area he made no mistake with just the England Under-21 'keeper to beat.

Jon Harley battles with Darren Moore

On 63 minutes Malky switched to a more attacking formation by bringing on former Carlisle striker Graham, taking the place of midfielder Jenkins.

He joined Helguson in attack as the 'Orns switched to a traditional 4-4-2 line-up.

The Golden Boys were putting the home side under more pressure but they were struggling to fore Steele into making too many saved.

DeMerit rose tallest from a Cowie corner kick but his header only sailed into Steele's hands.

The temperature continued to drop as the clock ticked away but the 'Orns were largely frustrated.

The Hornets can't believe Graham's goal is ruled out

Barnsley were reduced to 10 men when their right back, Ryan Shotton, was given a straight red card for a foul on Doyley.

Despite the protests of the home crowd and Shotton's colleagues the defender was soon marching down the tunnel.

Taylor was saved by Loach late on in the game as the centre half lost possession by the touchline and his goalkeeper pulled off a finger tip save to deny Andy Gray.

Watford threw further men forward with five minutes remaining as Malky throw on Will Hoskins in place of Doyley.

Graham had the ball in the back of the net with two minutes remaining after a long free kick into the Barnsley area he headed past Steele but the referee had already blew his whistle.

The Golden Boys couldn't believe their luck and were left scratching their heads as to how the goal hadn't been given.

Lansbury produced a moment of brilliance with an inch perfect long-range free kick but Steele pulled off a top-draw save to keep the battling Hornets at bay as Barnsley held on for all three points. 

BARNSLEY: Steele; Shotton, Foster (c), Moore, Dickinson; Teixeira, Doyle, Colace, Hallfredsson; De Silva (Rodriguez 53), Gray. Subs not used: Preece, Hammill, Macken, Hume, Potter, Butterfield.

WATFORD: Loach; Mariappa, Taylor, DeMerit (c), Doyley (Hoskins 85); Harley, Jenkins (Graham 63), Eustace, Cowie; Lansbury, Helguson. Subs not used: Lee (gk), Bennett, Hodson, McGinn, Bryan.

GOALS: BARNSLEY; Hallfredsson (55). WATFORD; none.

BOOKINGS: BARNSLEY; Colace (professional foul 59). WATFORD; Mariappa (professional foul 18).

SENDINGS OFF: BARNSLEY; Shotton (professional foul 76). WATFORD; none.

ATTENDANCE: 11,739 (443 Hornets).