After six wins in the last seven games, David Flitcroft was beginning to turn Barnsley around and they believed for the first time they could stay in the Championship after looking dead and buried as they entered 2013.
They faced a home game against a then struggling Bolton side. But the Reds endured a nightmare first half, with ex-Liverpool striker David N'Gog and Liverpool loanee Jay Spearing giving the visitors a 2-0 half time lead. But the Reds came out fighting in the second half and eight minutes into the second period, Tomasz Cywka and Chris O'Grady had brought them level. However, there was another twist in the tale as Craig Dawson scored what would be the winner.
FT: Barnsley 2 (Cywka 47, O'Grady 53) Bolton Wanderers 3 (N'Gog 15, Spearing 38, Dawson 59). Attendance: 10,862.
The Reds then faced a tough trip to Turf Moor to play Burnley. Sure enough, nine minutes in Charlie Austin netted his 26th goal of the season. But the little Pole Cywka scored his third in as many games to grab a late equaliser.
FT: Burnley 1 (Austin 9) Barnsley 1 (Cywka 84). Attendance: 10,584.
Then the Reds had their day in the view of the world. An FA Cup quarter final tie away to Premier League champions Manchester City. It would prove to be a humbling experience as Carlos Tevez netted a hat-trick and goals from Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva thrashed a toothless Reds side.
FT: Manchester City 5 (Tevez 11, 31, 50, Kolarov 27, Silva 65) Barnsley 0. Attendance: 46,728.
A home game against high flying Brighton was next for Flicker's men and Jason Scotland put the Reds in front early on. Spaniard Leonardo Ulloa pulled the Seagulls level before Chris Dagnall put the Reds back in front from the spot. Luke Steele was Barnsley's hero though, by saving a late Ulloa penalty to give his side all three points.
FT: Barnsley 2 (Scotland 15, Dagnall pen 64) Brighton 1 (Ulloa 59). Attendance: 7,869.
Another tough home clash against a top end side was next. Watford visited Oakwell and a header from Barnsley cult hero Bobby Hassell settled this game.
FT: Barnsley 1 (Hassell 36) Watford 0. Attendance: 9,076.
A trip down the A61 was next for the Reds away to Sheffield Wednesday. Goals from Gary Madine and Reda Johnson gave the Owls a commanding lead going into the last ten minutes before Madine missed from the spot after Hassell's handball. Lewis Buxton was then sent off for the home side before Jacob Mellis' clinical finish gave the Reds a glimmer of hope.
FT: Sheffield Wednesday 2 (Madine 65, R.Johnson 77) Barnsley 1 (Mellis 90). Attendance: 29,697.
March League Record: Played 5; Won 2; Drawn 1; Lost 2; For 7; Against 7; GD 0; Points 7.
Overall League Record: Played 38; Won 12; Drawn 8; Lost 18; For 48; Against 60; GD -12; Points 44.