IT WAS crazy, chaotic but ultimately calm as both Huddersfield  Town and Barnsley clinched Championship survival.

On a day of real drama at the top and bottom of the division, Mark Robins’ men were in the drop zone for two phases of this nerve-jangling derby as those bitter memories of 2001 came flooding back..

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But it was Barnsley who were left fearing the worst after James Vaughan fired in his 14th goal of the season to tie a topsy-turvy contest at 2-2 in the 82nd minute.

As things stood, David Flitcroft’s Reds, twice in front, were doomed unless they could conjure a third goal and claim all three points, an outcome which might yet have sent Town into League I.

Then came news from Pride Park, where Millwall went a goal down to Derby in the 85th minute – especially good for Town – and Selhurst, where Crystal Palace turned around a 2-1 deficit to lead 3-2 with an 89th-minute strike.

A Palace win meant a draw was enough for Barnsley as well as Town, and as boss Flitcroft leapt off the bench to gesture to Luke Steele, the keeper went from rushing to take a goal kick to dawdling as the final 80 seconds of five added minutes were played out in what Town captain Peter Clarke termed “a relaxed fashion”.

It was a remarkable conclusion to a remarkable campaign, with Peterborough dropping into League I alongside Wolves, relegated for the second season running, and Bristol City.

And there was the remarkable sight of two sets of supporters clapping each other and uniting in the chant ‘Yorkshire, Yorkshire’ on an afternoon when Sheffield Wednesday also stayed up and Hull won promotion.

It was hard to deny Barnsley their right to remain in the second tier, because their form has really picked up since Flitcroft replaced Keith Hill, to whom he had been assistant.

In front of 21,614 – the highest crowd for a league game in the stadium’s 19-year history – they were certainly the better side in the first half, when they kept Jermaine Beckford and Vaughan well shackled, midfielder Jacob Mellis halted Jack Hunt’s forward runs and Chris Dagnall was a menace up front.

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Well-taken goals from Sheffield Wednesday loanee Chris O’Grady (in the 15th minute) and substitute Jason Scotland (in the 75th) had the packed away end roaring, but credit to Town for having the character to hold their nerve and fight back each time, with Beckford grabbing the first.

That came in the 54th minute, a lovely sidefooted finish from Danny Ward’s delivery (similar to O’Grady’s opener for Barnsley from David Perkins’ pass) for the Leicester loan man’s ninth goal in Town colours.

It rewarded a bold half-time change by former Barnsley boss Robins, who replaced out-of-sorts midfield duo Oliver Norwood and Oscar Gobern with Keith Southern and Ward, fit again after a groin injury.

Southern added experience and steel and Ward an extra dimension out wide, and while Town still weren’t firing on all cylinders, they were certainly more effective than in the first period.

And after Scotland headed Barnsley back in front with a close-range header from Perkins’ inviting cross, it was fitting that on-loan Norwich striker and Town top scorer Vaughan should grab his 14th goal of the season from substitute Lee Novak’s pass to settle the nerves, if only slightly.

He’s been a great servant this season and, as the fans sing, sign him up!

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RUN OF THE BALL:

1min: Town keeper Alex Smithies punches clear from Jim O’Brien’s teasing cross.

9mins: Chris O’Grady shoots wide.

15mins: David Perkins’ pass tees up O’Grady and this time the on-loan Sheffield Wednesday striker makes no mistake. It’s 1-0 Barnsley.

25mins: Peter Clarke makes a key tackle as Chris Dagnall shapes to shoot.

28mins: Oliver Norwood’s low cross just evades Jermaine Beckford.

29mins: Dagnall’s shot on the turn is held by Smithies.

39mins: James Vaughan’s low drive flies across the face of goal and wide..

41mins: Norwood’s long-distance shot is just off target.

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52mins: Adam Clayton’s shot is saved.

54mins: Beckford makes the most of Danny Ward’s pass to sidefoot a curling shot past keeper Luke Steele. It’s 1-1.

57mins: Smithies pulls off a fine save to thwart Dagnall.

60mins: Smithies again shows great reactions to deny Stephen Dawson.

68mins: This time Perkins is the Barnsley man left frustrated as Smithies clutches onto his low effort.

75mins: Barnsley finally force their second goal through Jason Scotland, who heads home from close range from Perkins’ cross.

82mins: Lee Novak’s lay-off sets up Vaughan who shoots home powerfully with the aid of a deflection off Steele. It’s 2-2.

89mins: Vaughan’s shot is held.

90+1mins: Tomasz Cywka’s drive is saved.