Town's run of 12 successive home wins came to an end as Barnsley thwarted the Blues, Tommy Miller going closest for Jim Magilton's side.

The midfielder volleyed at Heinz Muller from the edge of the box in the first-half, Pablo Counago also bringing a save from the German 'keeper.

Town rested Owen Garvan with Gavin Williams coming in for his first home start of the season following his recovery from injury.

Former Town loanee Jon Macken lined up for the visitors and was immediately in the action as Barnsley started the game on top, the striker just failing to get on the end of a Grant McCann cross.

Alex Bruce rescued Blues with a well timed tackle to stop Sam Togwell in his tracks as he burst towards goal, while Jon Walters and Miller had shots blocked at the other end.

Pablo Counago was bright again during the first-half and his cleverness on the ball set up Miller on the edge of the box set up, his volley held by Muller in the Barnsley goal.

Istvan Ferenczi shot wide for the Tykes, then Counago span and tested Muller with a low drive, the Spanish striker then robbing Dennis Souza but his cross was cleared for a corner as Billy Clarke challenged.

Neil Alexander tipped over McCann's 25 yard shot as Barnsley held their own, Ferenczi then heading at Alexander from the resultant corner.

Danny Haynes replaced Alan Lee just past the half hour, the striker struggling to shake off a stomach bug.

Clarke fired over before Souza picked up the first yellow card of the game for a block on Haynes. The Town striker then dragging his shot wide in the last action of the first-half.

Haynes'shot was blocked out in the first exchanges of the second-half, with Alexander then called into action to save from Togwell.

Town had a penalty claim just before the hour when Miller went down in the box as he chased Williams' pass but referee Andy Penn was on the spot to wave away the appeals.

Togwell then beat Alexander to the ball inside the Town box but his cross evaded Macken and Ferenczi. Blues then making a second change with Gary Roberts replacing Clarke on 63 minutes.

The highly-rated Muller kept the scores level seconds later, keeping out Williams' 25-yard free-kick, Haynes then volleying over the from the corner.

Haynes and Wright combined to create an opening on the right, the full-back's cross cleared for a corner, Counago then crowded out by the excellent Souza as he tried to backheel the ball in from six yards.

Kim Christensen replaced Ferenczi in Barnsley's first change with 15 minutes left on the clock, Alexander making a flying save from Dominic Werling's long range effort.

Good skill by Roberts left Stephen Foster beaten, the Tykes' skipper grabbing the winger's shirt and getting a yellow card for his troubles. Roberts then denied by a crowd of Barnsley players as his shot went goalwards after Williams's free-kick had fallen to him 12 yards out.

Haynes forced a corner as Town turned up the heat on the visitors' goal, Jason De Vos heading just wide as the game entered the last five minutes.

De Silva was booked for a challenge on Roberts on the edge of the box, Souza on hand to clear the danger from Williams' free-kick.

Roberts' long ball almost put in Counago in Town's last chance as Barnsley held firm to become the first team to leave Portman Road with a point this season. The draw also saw Town make it four clean sheets on the trot at home.

Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Bruce, Harding, Walters, Miller, Williams, Clarke (Roberts 63), Lee (Haynes 32), Counago. Subs not used: Supple, Wilnis, Legwinski.

Barnsley: Muller, Foster, Souza, Nyatanga, Werling, Devaney, Togwell, De Silva, McCann, Macken, Ferenczi (Christensen 74). Subs not used:, Mostto, Reid, Ricketts, Colgan. Booked: Souza, De Silva.

Att: 19,540