Barnsley manager Daniel Stendel is refusing to rule his side out of the League One promotion race despite a highly-damaging 3-1 defeat at Burton Albion this weekend.

The Tykes are still second following the loss, but Sunderland drew level on points with two games in hand. Portsmouth also won at the weekend, giving them a two point gap to make up with their one game in hand.

It certainly takes the impetus away from Barnsley, who will now be waiting on the results of others after their recent slump. They've won just one in five, missing the chance to move clear.

Despite that run of form, manager Daniel Stendel is refusing to concede the race for automatic promotion.

"We won't give up," he told their official club website.

"Never. There are 46 games in a season and we see where we finish in May. If we go up automatic or play the play-offs.

"We've been 11 points behind Portsmouth this season before. We've been seven behind Sunderland. It is not over. We accept it's not a good position now, but this is football and anything can happen."

Barnsley have successive home matches next against Fleetwood and struggling Shrewsbury, with Plymouth, Blackpool and Bristol Rovers completing their season.

Sunderland and Portsmouth do still have each other to face, one saving grace in a worrying run in for the Tykes.

The Verdict

Games in hand do not mean points in the bag, but Sunderland would have to lose twice in their next seven matches to give the advantage back to Barnsley. They've only lost twice in their previous 39 in the league.

It looks like a play-off place for Daniel Stendel and with both Portsmouth and Charlton hitting form, that won't be an easy prospect.