FA Cup heroes Barnsley made it three Championship games without a win as they were held to a 0-0 draw by QPR at a windy Oakwell on Tuesday.The Tykes had the better of the chances - most notably in a first half they completely dominated - but the closest they came was a diving header by Istvan Ferenczi that rattled the post.
QPR improved in the second half and they too came close when Lewin Nyatanga produced a fine block to deny youngster Angelo Balanta, while one Akos Buzsaky cross went agonisingly across the face of goal.
Barnsley introduced Diego Leon midway through the second half, but despite a lively performance from the former Real Madrid man - which saw him denied by Lee Camp and twice fire just off target - neither side were able to make the decisive breakthrough.
The point leaves QPR 15th and Barnsley 16th in the table - both with 41 points - but they will be looking nervously over their shoulders at the drop zone, with 21st-placed Sheffield Wednesday just six points behind - and with two games in hand.
The Tykes may have beaten Liverpool in the FA Cup fifth round 10 days ago, but, after sticking with the same side at Norwich on Saturday, the 1-0 defeat at Carrow Road prompted manager Simon Davey to make four changes as Marciano van Homoet, Nyatanga, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Jon Macken came in for Rob Kozluk, Anderson de Silva, Leon and Daniel Nardiello.
The Hoops made two changes from their draw against Sheffield United, with Buzsaky back from suspension to replace Hogan Ephraim and Dexter Blackstock preferred to Rowan Vine in attack.
It was the Tykes who forced the first decisive action when Brian Howard broke through, but Camp made a fine save to keep his shot out.
Camp almost presented Ferenczi with the opener when he allowed the ball to go through his legs, but Fitz Hall's fine clearance saved his keeper's blushes.
A Macken shot was blocked by Matthew Connolly as the home side continued to press and they came within inches of netting when Campbell-Ryce crossed from the right to the back post, but Ferenczi's header thumped off the post.
The second half hinted at a completely different story as Rangers were straight on the front foot and Martin Rowlands called Luke Steele into action from 25 yards.
And they had a great chance when Patrick Agyemang teed up Balanta, but Nyatanga got back to clear when it looked as though the 17-year-old would score.
Moments later the Hoops really should have broken the deadlock when a cleared corner found its way to Buzsaky, but his low cross went agonisingly across the face of goal with no-one able to get the crucial touch.
Davey introduced Leon in place of Martin Devaney and he almost made an instant impact as Camp was forced to tip his shot over the top.
Damian Delaney was denied by a fine challenge from Campbell-Ryce before Leon's audacious chip cleared the bar at the other end.
Delaney then missed from six yards from a Buzsaky corner before Howard had a shot blocked by Connolly but the game ended in a stalemate.
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