PNE midfielder Alan Browne felt North End's luck was out after recording a goalless draw against Barnsley.
With both sides in similar positions in the league table, both sets of supporters would have anticipated a close-knit affair in the Sun of South Yorkshire this afternoon, and that's exactly what played out with both Barnsley and North End cancelling out their counterparts.
Speaking after the game, Browne pointed to two vital moments in the game which could have changed the complexion of the game in PNE's favour, a clear penalty shout after Marc Roberts brought down Jordan Hugill in the first-half, and Hugill's header in the dying embers of the game which was brilliantly denied by the palms of Adam Davies.
On the penalty claim, Browne said: "It changed the complex of the game and we were very unlucky for it not to be given."
"The defender got completely the wrong side and Jordan was clever to get a shot away but was fouled.
"The referee didn't give it and we just have to take that and move on. We fought until the end and we created a few chances which could have gone in but their goalie has made some good saves.
"The chance towards the end was a great header from Jordan and a great delivery from Geads (Aiden McGeady) but it was just a top drawer save from the 'keeper which stops us from coming away with the three points."
Slotting back into the side at the expense of Daniel Johnson, Browne's engine in the heart of the PNE midfield was pivotal in breaking up the play of their opponents, and the Irishman admitted that their expectations of a difficult game came to fruition at Oakwell today.
"I think it's what we expected," continued Browne on the resilience of the Tykes. "They're a hard-working team and hard to break down and we got that right from the off.
"We started brightly but we let them into it. We got into the game more in the second-half and had a few chances fall our way. It was just unlucky that they didn't go in.
"We knew it would be difficult to come away with a win. We've done very well this season and that's down to the committment of the lads. We matched them man for man, it was just unfortunate we couldn't get that winner."
Speaking after the game, Browne pointed to two vital moments in the game which could have changed the complexion of the game in PNE's favour, a clear penalty shout after Marc Roberts brought down Jordan Hugill in the first-half, and Hugill's header in the dying embers of the game which was brilliantly denied by the palms of Adam Davies.
On the penalty claim, Browne said: "It changed the complex of the game and we were very unlucky for it not to be given."
"The defender got completely the wrong side and Jordan was clever to get a shot away but was fouled.
"The referee didn't give it and we just have to take that and move on. We fought until the end and we created a few chances which could have gone in but their goalie has made some good saves.
"The chance towards the end was a great header from Jordan and a great delivery from Geads (Aiden McGeady) but it was just a top drawer save from the 'keeper which stops us from coming away with the three points."
Slotting back into the side at the expense of Daniel Johnson, Browne's engine in the heart of the PNE midfield was pivotal in breaking up the play of their opponents, and the Irishman admitted that their expectations of a difficult game came to fruition at Oakwell today.
"I think it's what we expected," continued Browne on the resilience of the Tykes. "They're a hard-working team and hard to break down and we got that right from the off.
"We started brightly but we let them into it. We got into the game more in the second-half and had a few chances fall our way. It was just unlucky that they didn't go in.
"We knew it would be difficult to come away with a win. We've done very well this season and that's down to the committment of the lads. We matched them man for man, it was just unfortunate we couldn't get that winner."