Football: Bosancic brings ambition to Barnsley at last

Barnsley 1 Blackburn Rovers 1

Unlikely as it seems, the reperecussions of Yugoslvia's humbling of Hungary in the World Cup qualifier this week have spread as far away as Oakwell.

Inspired by his countrymen, Jovo Bosancic is a man rejuvinated. Barnsley's Yugoslav midfielder has set himself an ambitious target following his equalising goal that lifted the Yorkshire club from the foot of the Premiership.

Bosancic was a forlorn figure around Oakwell less than two months ago as a persistent thigh injury prevented him from making his Premiership debut. His first full 90 minutes of this season against reaped the second goal of his Barnsley career, how ever, and the Serbian is now talking about competing for a place in Yugoslavia's World Cup squad. Their 7-1 play-off first leg hammering of Hungary surely secures them a place in France.

"I know this is only my first game back, " Bosancic said, "and if I play the remainder of the season like I did today then who knows. It's an ambition. It's a dream."

His manager, Danny Wilson, will be only too happy if the former Yugoslav Under-21 international and Olympic team member remains as motivated. Wilson, like the Hungarians, will want to avoid future thrashings, such as last week's degrading defeat at Old Trafford.

Wilson said: "I thought the Premiership would be a good stage for him rather than the First Division and so it has proved."

Bosancic's goal justly reward Barnsley's determination in the second half following an opening period that had clear echoes of the previous weekend's defeat. Blackburn could easily have gone in four goals clear at the break, but all they had to show for their domination was Tim Sherwood's 30th-minute header.

Goals: Sherwood (30) 0-1; Bosancic (79) 1-1.

Barnsley: Watson, Sheridan (Eaden, h-t), Moses, De Zeeuw, Hendrie, Redfearn, Bullock, Bosancic, Shirtliff, Hristov (Liddell, 55), Krizan (Barnard, 73). Substitutes not used: Marcelle, Leese (gk).

Blackburn Rovers: Flowers, Kenna, Sherwood, Hendry (Pedersen, 27), Ripley, Gallacher, Sutton, McKinlay, Croft, Henchoz, Duff (Wilcox, 64). Substitutes not used: Bohinen, Flitcroft, Fettis (gk).

Referee: G Poll (Tring). Bookings: Blackburn McKinlay, Sherwood. Barnsley Henchoz.

Man of the match: Bosancic.

Attendance: 18,665.