Barnsley 1-0 Middlesbrough

Barnsley have beaten Middlesbrough 1-0 in the opening game of their Championship season this afternoon.

The visitors had a number of sightings of goal during the first half, with Julia Arca, Emmanuel Ledesma and Grant Leadbitter all coming close with shots on the edge of the area.

Barnsley had a good chance of their own to break the deadlock when Steven Foster met a free kick, only to guide his header over the bar from 14 yards out.

The hosts had to wait until just before half-time to take the lead, however, as Marlon Harewood and David Perkins combined to set up Craig Davies who fired a low shot past Jason Steele.

Barnsley almost doubled their lead early in the second half, but this time Steele was equal to Davies's effort. The duo clashed again with just over 20 minutes remaining, and once again Steele came out on top.

Ledesma squandered a good chance to level the sides with just over five minutes left as he pulled his shot wide from seven yards before Justin Hoyte was denied by David Gonzalez in injury time.

Middlesbrough's next match comes at home to Burnley on Tuesday evening, while Barnsley will face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the same time.