The contest was spoiled by the dreadful conditions - and an equally dreadful performance from whistle-happy referee Eddy Evans from Greater Manchester.
Driving rain and a swirling wind made the clash something of a lottery and the sides could only muster five shots on target between them throughout the 90 minutes.
Barnsley started the brighter despite manager Paul Hart dropping his first choice strike-force and going with Barry Conlon and on-loan Daniel Nardiello up front.
It was Nardiello who almost broke the deadlock in the seventh minute. A great turn got him away from Chris Westwood and his low drive almost squirmed through the grasp of Hartlepool keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos and over the line, but the United number one just managed to hold on.
The best chance of the half, however, fell to Pools striker Adam Boyd.
He cleverly managed to take the ball away from two Barnsley defenders but from 15 yards, and with only home keeper Ross Turnbull to beat, he dragged his shot well wide.
The second half was even worse in terms of the weather and both sides deserved credit for continuing to try and play.
Nardiello and Barnsley captain Tony Vaughan both tested the Hartlepool keeper in quick succession, before the visitors again manufactured a great chance in the 64th minute.
A scuffed free-kick looped up off a Barnsley defender but Eifion Williams, unmarked at the far post, put his close-range header wide.
The visitors had a let-off eight minutes from time when they were penalised for a deliberate back pass but Nardiello blasted his shot over the top.
Then, in the dying seconds, Konstantopoulos pulled off a great save to keep out Nardiello's low drive.