Dennis Wise was accused more than once during his playing days of kicking someone when they were down. Now, it seems, the recently appointed Leeds United manager is experiencing a painful reversal of roles as his new charges continue to flounder in the Coca-Cola Championship relegation places.

With his side having twice recovered from slapstick defensive lapses punished by Daniel Nardiello, Barnsley’s clinical forward, Wise was convinced that fortune was finally working in his favour when Matt Heath directed a powerful near-post header beyond Nick Colgan, the visiting goalkeeper, only to see the effort disallowed for an infringement that remained hidden even when scrutinised by video.

Naturally the manager was furious with the efforts of Kevin Wright, the referee, and his assistant, who bore the brunt of Wise’s anger. Yet Leeds’s hopes depend on Wise finding an answer to his side’s defensive frailties. Not that Barnsley were any better, and it was two pieces of Sunday league defending that allowed Tresor Kandol and Ugo Ehiogu to equalise Nardiello’s goals in the third and 36th minutes.

Earlier the experienced Ehiogu, brought in last week on loan from Middlesbrough, was as guilty as the rest of his colleagues as Nardiello was allowed time to deliver two fine finishes. It was the first time that the forward, who has had a broken collarbone, has scored since May’s League One play-offs final. “This was definitely one of my best games for Barnsley,” Nardiello said. “It is starting to come together now.”

Another beneficiary of Nardiello’s efforts could be Simon Davey, his caretaker manager, who has overseen a return of seven points from the three games he has been in charge.

Leeds United (4-4-2): G Stack — J Douglas, U Ehiogu, M Heath, S Crainey — T Kandol, S Derry (sub: F Richardson, 64min), I Westlake, E Lewis — R Blake (sub: D Healy, 80), I Moore (sub: S Carole, 88). Substitutes not used: T Warner, J Beckford. Booked: Derry, Kandol. FORM DLWLWL NEXT Derby County (h).

Barnsley (4-4-2): N Colgan — N Austin, B Hassell, P Reid, P Heckingbottom — P Hayes, S Togwell, B Howard, G McCann — D Nardiello (sub: M Richards, 79), L Knight. Substitutes not used: D Tonge, R Williams, M Devaney. Booked: Hassell. FORM DWWLLW NEXT West Bromwich Albion (h).