Barnsley Res 1 Bradford Res 1

It's a sign of the times that City's top scorer last hit the target three months ago.

In a team that has bagged the fewest goals in the division, Michael Branch is still the top marksman with six.

But he has not added to his tally since netting in three successive home games in November.

So with the Bantams desperate for more firepower from anywhere, Branch's return to the scoresheet for the reserves at Oakwell yesterday was welcome news. And what a fine piece of individual skill it was after 16 minutes.

Branch charged down right back Thomas Harban's clearance with his head, darted in from the left flank and curled a beauty round keeper Daniel Alcock and inside the far post.

For those unfortunates who travelled to Ipswich on Saturday, it was a carbon copy of Darren Bent. Hopefully it should do wonders for Branch's confidence.

Danny Cadamarteri, finding his way back to fitness, was his partner up front for the first half and looked equally lively. He left at half-time for a hospital check after jarring a finger.

City were a threat going forward from the start with Cadamarteri lobbing across goal in the first minute before stretching Alcock into a diving save in the second.

Both sides were cursing the bar on the half hour. First Nathan Jarman's corner eluded Clint Davies and bounced back off the City woodwork and from Ben Muirhead's lightning break, Lewis Emanuel crashed a drive against the bar at the other end.

Barnsley equalised in the 48th minute when Kevin Betsy side-footed in.

City reserves: Davies, Edds, Jacobs, Kearney, Folkes, Bentham, Reid, Branch (Cornwall 74), Muirhead, Cadamarteri (Forrest 46), Emanuel. Subs (not used): Sanasy, Flynn, Penford.