Wrexham and Barnsley went head-to-head in a League One meeting on December 3rd.
After seeing off fellow play-off hopefuls Exeter City and Lincoln City in their previous two fixtures, Wrexham were presented with another tough test on Tuesday.
Barnsley are among the favourites to win the promotion to the Championship ahead of 2025/26, sitting sixth and seven points off the Red Dragons prior to kick-off.
The Yorkshire outfit, like Phil Parkinson’s men, had lost just one of their last five before the midweek clash.
But the home team will have been confident of securing yet another three points given their superb record at the Racecourse Ground this campaign.
Prior to taking on Barnsley, Wrexham were dominating the EFL and Premier League when it came to home form.
In fact, no side in the top-four tiers had won more points on home soil in 2024/25 prior to Wrexham facing Barnsley.
In turn, a victory for the Hollwyood-owned club seemed very likely when the Tykes came to town.
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Barnsley fans furious at Wrexham star James McClean
The game was pretty quiet with neither side creating too much on the goal front. Wrexham did dominate the second half but were by no means at their best until Ollie Rathbone scored the winner vs Barnsley.
However, opposition fans were left furious with one of Parkinson’s players late in the second half.
James McClean was shown a yellow card after getting into an altercation with Corey O’Keeffe.
However, Barnsley fans have now taken to social media to express their frustration at the Wrexham man and question why he wasn’t sent off.
One fan wrote: “Not once. But twice McClean had his hands round O’Keefes throat.”
A second Barnsley fan added: “Would love to know how that’s not a red for McClean.”
Another supporter wrote: “How can James McClean grab him round neck twice and not get sent off.”
“Surely that’s a red for McClean?” another fan echoed, with a fifth adding: “O’ Keefe ran into McClean who then got his hands round his throat and then did it again. No matter what, that was not okay!!!!”
A sixth opposition fan said: Please tell me how that’s not a red for McClean,” with a seventh adding: “How on earth has he not been sent off for that!”
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Wrexham lose James McClean to suspension after Barnsley
While McClean left fans furious by the fact he was kept on the pitch, he is now set to miss Wrexham’s next match.
The left-back was shown his fifth yellow card of the season for the aforementioned incident, meaning he must serve a one-game suspension.
George Dobson also picked up his fifth yellow of 2024/25 on Tuesday and along with McClean, will miss the Burton tie on Saturday.
Andy Cannon will likely come into the team to replace the former, with Sebastian Revan taking McClean’s place in the eleven.