Two of the top in form teams in the Championship came together at a cold rain sodden afternoon in Yorkshire and the only change in thestarting eleven from the midweek victory was Matt Lawrence being named after his suspension.
Recent goal machine Clinton Morrison nearly added to his seasons tally in one of the first moves of the game as he had a shot blocked by Jemal Campbell Ryce who knew nothing about it from just yards out,
The wet conditions certainly played a part in proceedings and both goalkeepers needed to be confident in their handling under a swirling wind which both needed to contend with.
The home side are proud holders of a formidable home record and started the game with intent that they were looking for it to continue and had chances early on. Istvan Ferenczi had a shot blocked on ten minutes and Anderson De Silva saw an effort from just outside the box go just inches wide just two minutes later although Julian Speroni had it covered.
Palace's recent form has been in small way down to the improvement in midfield and chances for them to get forward and Tom Soares showed that 20 minutes. He broke clear and decided to shoot from some 20 yards out but his effort went just over the bar.
Just a minute later Morrison was causing a threat again as he found himself in the box and got the better of his man but his fierce shot was punched over the bar by big keeper Heinz Muller.
Barnsley look a threat on the break with Martin Davaney showing his pace on the left hand side and it was him who found some space just outside the box but his curling effort went over Speroni's bar without giving any alarm on the twenty five minute mark.
Further danger for the visitors was soon to follow when Ferenczi headed over the bar from close range when he got on the end of a Brian Howard free kick after a foul on Campbell-Ryce.
Ben Watson nearly made the most of the difficult conditions when his free kick from outside the box was difficult for the 'keeper, Muller, to handle and the defender scrambled the loose ball clear under pressure with two minutes of the half remaining.
A minute of added time was added but the breakthrough for either side was not to come and the sides went in on level terms at the break.
The second period started with Simon Davey's side coming close to breaking the deadlock. Campbell- Ryce had a cross which was swirling in the wind and Speroni would have been relieved to be able to tip the effort over his bar. The corner from this saw Souza head just over the bar
Campbell Ryce was involved again soon after when Mark Hudson did well to block his effort from distance and De Silva headed wide but it was not one way traffic.
Matt Lawrence's powerful header from another Watson corner who himself a great chance to bring all the points back south and Muller saved low down to his left from Morrison as Palace finished the game the stronger.
Neil Warnock introduced Sean Scannell to add some pace to the Palace attack and he did just that forcing a good save from Muller and heading over a Danny Butterfield cross.
A top six place could have been on offer to The Tykes if they had picked up maximum points and had late chances from sub Miguel Mostto, whose shot was cleared, and Speroni saved well from De Silva whilst the rebound only saw Mostto find the side netting.
The conditions were not good but both sides kept trying to find that winner but it was not to be and the draw means Palace extend their unbeaten run and the two form sides couldn't be seperated.
Barnsley Muller, Foster, Nyatanga, Souza, Werling,Campbell-Ryce, De Silva, Howard, Devaney, Ferenczi (Mostto 70),Macken (Christensen 85).
Subs Not Used: Van Homoet, Togwell, McCann.
Booked: Werling, Foster.
Crystal Palace Speroni, Butterfield, Hudson, Hill, Lawrence,Songo'o (Scannell 54), Derry, Watson, Soares (Fletcher 77),Scowcroft (Hills 85), Morrison.
Subs Not Used: Freedman, Martin.
Booked: Songo'o.
Att: 10,298 Referee : Tony Bates (Staffordshire).
