Vimal Yoganathan gave Barnsley an unlikely lead in the first half after Jack Shepherd was shown a straight red card but Mark Harris levelled after the break for Oxford, who also finished the game a man down as Jamie Cumming was sent off.

Stendel said: “I’m really proud.

“It was a big hit early in the game against us but our reaction was great.

“I am 80 yards away but I expected a yellow card and not a red card.

“The unity from the stands and the pitch together was great.”

Referee Oliver Mackey was in the perfect position as he dismissed Shepherd after just nine minutes for a late challenge on Louie Sibley.

But it was the 10-man hosts who took the lead in the 32nd minute.

After some fine work by Reyes Cleary in the middle of the pitch, he skipped past multiple Oxford defenders to play Jubril Okedina through on goal and the full-back played a neat cross straight to the feet of Yoganathan who smashed home from five yards out.

Oxford started quickly after the break as Tyler Goodrham rattled the crossbar from 30 yards before Harris levelled in the 60th minute after some good work by substitute Aidomo Emakhu.

Goalkeeper Cumming was then sent off after the was adjudged to have brought down Rylan Brownlie in the 88th minute.

The result ended a six-game losing streak for the Reds.

Stendel hopes the result can be used as a springboard for the rest of the season and was pleased the fans stuck behind the team when Oxford levelled.

He added: “In a situation like this, when we conceded the goal, it’s really difficult to change it only when you talk.

“We tried some things in training, but I think the biggest change for the heads today was the applause after 1-1.

“It was a good feeling.”

Oxford had 35 shots to Barnsley’s 11 and had more than 75 per cent possession but were not able to come away with all three points.

Boss Aaron Ramsey said: “There were bits that I liked and some bits that I didn’t quite like.

“I’m obviously very disappointed and frustrated because it was a good opportunity for us.

“But it’s another point and it keeps the momentum going.”

He did not think that Cumming should have been sent off.

“I haven’t seen a replay but I thought he got the ball,” he said.

“I don’t know if that was why the ref gave the red card, if he thought there was more force.

“But I thought it was a good challenge.”