JOSH Earl reckons Barnsley can count themselves unfortunate not to have walked away with all three points from their promotion battle with Bolton Wanderers.

The defender, who was signed on loan by the Whites from Preston North End before the start of the ill-fated 2019 campaign, nearly capped off an impressive debut for the Tykes with a win.

But Neil Collins’s side was left rueing a host of missed chances when Zac Ashworth popped up to score a second-half equaliser, leaving the honours even in a hard-fought contest.

“The lads were a bit gutted we didn’t get all three because we had good chances but overall, it is a good point against a top team in the division,” Earl said.

“It was a good game to get involved, a tough shift, and we’ll be a little bit disappointed that we didn’t get all three points.

“I have played against this team before with Fleetwood, so I knew what I was coming into. I try not to get too nervous or uncomfortable on the ball and I think the performance today for everyone was brilliant.”

Earl signed for Barnsley on deadline day from struggling Fleetwood, and having twice ended up on the losing side against Bolton this season – even scoring a goal at the Toughsheet in August – he was happy to have something to show for his debut.

“It has been a mad week,” he said. “I first learned Barnsley wanted me at the start of the week and it progressed quite quickly. Then I had to pass the medical and all that, so I only actually joined training yesterday (Friday). I got chucked straight in there but I was quite happy with the performance overall.

“I didn’t really want to leave Fleetwood in the state they are in, but I back the lads to get them out of it and I am happy for the new challenge at Barnsley.

“This club want to be promoted and that is obviously a lot more enjoyable a challenge. I wish them all the best, the club was brilliant with me.”

Earl believes Barnsley can go a step further than they did last season, when victory against Bolton in the play-off semi-final was followed by defeat against Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley.

“I broke into the Championship when I was younger and with this group of lads I think we have every chance to get back up there,” he said. “I think the club does belong in that league, so I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

Earl joined Bolton at a time when they were fresh out of administration, the hastily-assembled team under Hill struggling to overhaul a significant points deduction before the Covid pandemic spelled a premature relegation.

“I was about 19 or 20 and didn’t get that many games because I was injured quite a large period of the time,” Earl added. “I was there but the club was fantastic with me, so it is nice to see them doing well.”