Press article:

HOT HAYES KEEPS REDS IN THE HUNT - 13/12/2005

PAUL HAYES helped himself to a second-half double to keep alive Barnsley's cup hopes at the Bradford and Bingley stadium.

The Reds striker netted a dramatic equaliser 11 minutes from time to force this entertaining Yorkshire derby into extra-time.

Captain fantastic David Wetherall looked to have scored a second-half winner to sink Andy Ritchie's men

Wetherall struck with a powerful header 17 minutes from time with what looked like being a goal to secure a home tie with Walsall in the next round.

But his second goal of the season wasn't to be the thrilling finale to a thumping replay that came alive with five goals after the break.

Andy Cooke had put the Bantams ahead on 35 minutes with his first goal since October to put Colin Todd's men in the driving seat.

But the Reds fought back after half-time with two goals in eight minutes to stun the home crowd.

Hayes equalised from close range on 51 minutes before Paul Reid fired Ritchie's men ahead seven minutes later. But the hosts refused to buck-up and fought back when Mark Bower pounced from close range to level the scores again.

Bower was in the right place at the right time to send a glancing header past Scott Flinders after Wetherall had nodded Ben Muirhead's corner back into the danger zone.

The game took another dramatic twist on 73 minutes when Wetherall powered an unstoppable header into the top corner.

But the Bantams were unable to shut up shot and allowed the visitors to draw level once again on 79 minutes.

Hayes picked up a loose ball from the left before cutting inside and drilling a low shot past Russell Howarth to make it 3-3.

Todd was left shaking his head on the touchline as his side's FA cup curse looked to have struck again.

His men have not reached the third round since 2000 and he must have wondered what they had to do to kill off their plucky opponents.

The Mirror

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