A MOMENT of mischief from the Barnsley website and a questionable ticket pricing policy left this match with the fiery crackle of a local derby.

But, while Nottingham Forest's fans had to pay almost four times the amount for the privilege of witnessing the ensuing battle – after being excluded from the £5 entry offer the home support enjoyed – they may feel that they ultimately enjoyed the better value for money.

Even a bizarre off-the-field row inspired by some creative, inaccurate spin put on a quote taken from a Billy Davies interview in the Evening Post, failed to overshadow a performance that suggested their fight against relegation is far from over.

The Nottingham Forest manager had innocently insisted his side would require the battling spirit epitomised by men such as Sheffield United's gritty centre-half Chris Morgan – a player whose qualities he has admired for some time – if they are to pull clear of the bottom three.

But, while his opposite number, Simon Davey, may have labelled this as something 'close to bringing the game into disrepute' – with Morgan having been involved in an 'elbowing' incident that left the Tykes' Iain Hume with a fractured skull – Davies' only concern was that Forest managed to demonstrate exactly the kind of attitude and approach that will steer them out of trouble.

Like Morgan, Forest played with a hard, uncompromising and grisly determination that helped them fight their way back from behind, following a scrappy opening goal from Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

But, more than that, they also produced some flowing, counter-attacking football that, on another day, could easily have earned them all three points.

If there was not enough importance heaped on this fixture already, with both sides fighting to avoid the drop into League One, the additional off-the-field controversies only fired the atmosphere up further.

But Davey's complaints could easily have been partly inspired by the fact that, for long periods, his side had been second best.

Davies is not a man to shy away from confrontation, as his unequivocal response to the allegations that he had acted in an unprofessional manner demonstrated – insisting it was a 'disgrace' and 'small-minded' that Davey had suggested as much.

Fortunately, on Saturday, his players were not willing to back down either, as this was not a match for the faint-hearted. This may have been a clash between Yorkshire and the Midlands, but it had the unmistakable edge normally reserved for a local derby.

Although, ironically, it was Barnsley who trod the disciplinary tightrope more precariously, with three of their players booked for fairly cynical fouls and Rob Kozluk, mystifyingly, escaping punishment after kicking Chris Cohen in the groin after being fouled by the Forest midfielder.

In the end, the result was not quite what either side would have wanted, as a point apiece left both still firmly embroiled in the fight to avoid the drop into League One.

But, at a time when morale and confidence must surely have been dented by a poor run of form, Forest should be buoyed by their efforts, as they produced a standard of football that, if replicated in the final five matches of the campaign, would surely be enough to secure safety.

Make no mistake, this was far from a perfect display. But what Forest did was show enough character, belief and ability to make amends once their shortfallings had once again left them trailing.

A moment of hesitancy in the Forest defence, as Kelvin Wilson failed to properly clear a long throw into the box, allowed Campbell-Ryce to apply a headed finish and put Barnsley ahead barely moments into the second half.

And a lunging, misjudged challenge from Wes Morgan felled Andranik Teymourian and gifted Barnsley a chance to double their advantage from the spot.

Fortunately, on-loan Everton keeper Iain Turner plunged low to his left to pounce on a poorly struck kick from Campbell-Ryce and preserve Forest's chances.

By that stage, Robert Earnshaw had already thundered a spectacular effort against the crossbar, as Forest went in search of an equaliser and had seen a poor touch deny him a one-on-one with keeper Heinz Muller after surging clear of the Tykes defence.

But, after Isaiah Osbourne's strength had carried him into space down the right, the Aston Villa man's precise cut-back found Earnshaw arriving with perfect timing at the near post to provide an emphatic finish.

Turner had to produce a spectacular stop to deny Anderson De Silva, after the midfielder had lashed a rising 20-yard shot high towards the top corner.

But it was Forest who spurned the better opportunities, with Joel Lynch side-footing wide from close range after Cohen's free-kick picked him out on the edge of the six-yard box and Cohen bending another free-kick narrowly around the post.

Dexter Blackstock – who made a promising debut following his arrival on loan from QPR – just failed to connect with a Garath McCleary cross when the slightest of touches would have led to a goal and Nathan Tyson shot weakly straight at Muller after a determined run.

Injuries sustained by him and Lewis McGugan are not thought to be as serious as first thought and both should be fit to face Bristol City at the City Ground on Saturday.

And, whatever Barnsley might think of it, if Forest can show a bit more of the Morgan spirit, then their hopes of survival can only be improved.