As 2013 began, so did the search for Barnsley's new manager. Plenty of names were being touted to take over the sinking ship at Oakwell but with the Reds looking doomed to relegation, it was proving a hard seat to fill.
David Flitcroft took charge of his first caretaker match which ended in another defeat for the Reds. Michael Bostwick gave Peterborough the lead at London Road before Marlon Harewood bagged just his second goal of the season to draw Barnsley level. But Tommy Rowe had the last laugh, firing past Steele to win the game for Posh.
FT: Peterborough United 2 (Bostwick 28, Rowe 87) Barnsley 1 (Harewood 79) Attendance: 7,339.
Sean O'Driscoll was lined up as Keith Hill's successor but the former Nottingham Forest boss turned down the post citing that he wasn't ready to return to football management, however he joined Bristol City a month later.
The third round of the FA Cup drew the Reds at home to Burnley and they progressed thanks to a late goal from young striker Danny Rose, his first senior goal. Brian Stock had earlier seen red for Burnley.
FT: Barnsley 1 (Rose 86) Burnley 0 Attendance: 5,091.
The following week, Barnsley approached Inverness Caledonian Thistle for permission to speak to their manager Terry Butcher. Permission was granted and after two days discussions Butcher was the next man to turn down the Barnsley job.
The Reds hosted Leeds United in a must win fixture at Oakwell. After a first half which the Reds dominated, hitting the woodwork twice, the second half was when the game was decided. Chris Dagnall netted his first league goal for Barnsley from the spot and just three minutes later doubled his and Barnsley's lead.
FT: Barnsley 2 (Dagnall pen 63, 66) Leeds Utd 0 Attendance: 13,999.
The next day, David Flitcroft was appointed Barnsley manager until the end of the season after two wins and one defeat in his three games in caretaker charge.
Top scorer Craig Davies joined Bolton Wanderers for a paltry fee of just £300,000 but the Reds form didn't suffer.
They faced a tough trip to Mick McCarthy's Ipswich in Flitcroft's first game in full charge. Eleven minutes into the second half Luke Chambers gave the home side the lead and we all thought "Here we go again". But Danny Rose popped up in the last minute to equalise for Barnsley and gain a valuable point.
FT: Ipswich 1 (Chambers 56) Barnsley 1 (Rose 89) Attendance: 15,913.
The fourth round of the FA Cup gave the Reds a trip to high flying Hull City. And Flicker's stock kept rising with a fine 1-0 win. Chris Dagnall finding the net again to hand the Reds a fifth round draw away to Milton Keynes Dons.
FT: Hull City 0 Barnsley 1 (Dagnall 70) Attendance: 9,932.
The following Monday, the Reds strengthened their firepower up-front by signing recently released Ipswich Town striker Jason Scotland on a free, and he was to have an immediate impact.
Barnsley hosted Millwall, seven points adrift of Championship safety. But that became four after a comfortable victory. A goalless first half laid the foundations, and Chris Dagnall clipped in the first. Enter Scotland, who was played through by David Perkins and lashed into the net for a debut goal.
FT: Barnsley 2 (Dagnall 56, Scotland 67) Millwall 0 Attendance: 7,844.
A busy deadline day at Oakwell saw three players leave and three come in. First of all, the Reds accepted a £3m bid from Wigan for defender John Stones. However, he ended up joining Everton for the same fee.
Barnsley brought in experienced Stoke City man, and king of the long throw, Rory Delap on loan. He was shortly followed by Sheffield Wednesday striker and long term target Chris O'Grady. Andrai Jones was also signed on a free transfer from Bury.
Matt Done and Rob Edwards were loaned to Hibernian and Shrewsbury Town respectively.
January League Record: Played 4; Won 2; Drawn 1; Lost 1; For 6; Against 3; GD +3; Points 7.
Overall League Record: Played 29; Won 7; Drawn 7; Lost 15; For 31; Against 44; GD -13; Points 28; Position: 22nd.