Conor Hourihane's last gasp cracker saved a point for the Reds as they picked up their first draw since September 19th in the South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United.
Aidan White came back into the side for his home debut and there were recalls for Reece Wabara, Sam Winnall and Lewin Nyatanga. Former Reds Matty Done and Jamal Campbell-Ryce started for the Blades.
And it was those two who combined for the first chance of the game. Campbell-Ryce skipped past Reece Wabara and pulled back for Done, whose shot was pushed into the side netting by Adam Davies.
Barnsley's first attempt on goal came through Adam Hammill, who teased John Brayford and skipped infield before unleashing a fierce shot that flew wide of the post.
With 13 minutes played the Reds really should have opened the scoring. Marley Watkins got free down the left after a slip by Neil Collins, his pull back was fired at George Long by Winnall, which left Lloyd Isgrove with a tap in, but he somehow contrived to scuff the ball wide of the post with the goal gaping.
Then came the inevitable punishment for a missed opportunity. Firstly Billy Sharp met Dean Hammond's fabulous ball over the top but his shot was saved by Davies.
Seconds later, a Bob Harris corner from the right found it's way to the back post which left a simple header for Chris Basham to put the Blades into the lead.
The Reds dominated possession but were held at arms length by United, no real chances of note at either end followed and the first half rather petered out.
The second half began the same as the first ended, with Barnsley controlling play but providing no cutting edge up front. Sharp wriggled clear of White but a dangerous cross had to be scrambled away.
The Blades really should have been over the hill after Sharp dug out a chance for Basham, his perfect lay off was fired wide when he really should have hit the target. A real let off for the Reds.
Then came a golden opportunity to punish that missed chance. Watkins' clever reverse pass for Hammill saw the latter charge into the area before being crudely upended by Collins, and the referee Neil Swarbrick did the Reds their first favour of the afternoon by pointing to the spot.
This gave the usually-reliable from 12 yards Conor Hourihane the chance to get the Reds level. He stepped up and fired a good looking penalty towards the left hand corner, but 'keeper Long had other ideas, excellently pushing the ball round the post.
It just didn't seem like it would be Barnsley's day. Especially when Davies made a complete pigs ear of a clearance, scuffing straight to Coutts on the half way line. His shot didn't have the power or direction to make it 2, but Sharp chased down the loose ball, skinned Wabara but fired his shot straight at Davies from six yards.
Davies then took a whack to the face and was down for a few minutes while he was treated, and moments later made a fine one-on-one save from Done after Nyatanga had hashed a clearing header.
Ivan Toney and Ryan Williams were introduced in place of Watkins and Isgrove and immediately Toney put the fear of God into the Blades back line with his pace and directness.
The Reds were banging on the door and Hammill's fine right wing cross was met by Winnall, and his 12 yard header came back off Long's post.
With time ticking away, Hourihane's corner was met by Nyatanga and his looping header came back off the bar. It just wasn't dropping for Lee Johnson's lads.
But deep, deep into injury time the Reds got their deserved reward. Wabara drifted a cross into the area and Winnall got a superb header to it, teeing up Hourihane on the edge of the box and he crashed in a stunning shot which gave Long absolutely no chance.
Cue mass celebrations on and off the pitch, the Reds fans who had actually stayed and not bailed out with five minutes to go went berserk, and Hourihane who sprinted over to the corner and smashed the corner flag out of the ground in celebration.
Both sides even had chances to snatch a winner, with Ryan Williams' cut back being cut out by another former Red, Jay McEveley for a corner. And then down the other end, the Blades engineered a corner of their own, which Basham headed over.
Definitely a deserved point for Barnsley, who were rewarded for twice hitting the woodwork and Hourihane making amends for his penalty miss.
Player Ratings
Adam Davies: Kept the Reds in the game with two or three good saves. Despite a couple of hairy moments, was voted Man of the Match. 8
Reece Wabara: Given a bit of a torrid time by JCR, people wondered why he was brought back into the side ahead of James Bree. 6
Alfie Mawson: Plays a bit like he's having a kickaround, but neutralised Sharp and Done well. 6
Lewin Nyatanga: Looked strong to begin with but mistakes started in the second half, let Done in but thankfully Davies came to his rescue. 5
Aidy White: Dealt well with the pace down the right, went forward well but when one-on-one looked a bit shaky. 6
Adam Hammill: He looked like he would make something happen everytime he got the ball in the first half. But was often too greedy and lost the ball. Faded second half but clever run won the penalty. 7
Ben Pearson: Broke up the play well and was strong in the tackle. 7
Conor Hourihane: Saved his and the Reds blushes by crashing in the late equaliser. He is better utilised further up the pitch though. 7
Lloyd Isgrove: Didn't offer anything on Saturday and missed a bit of a sitter. 5
Sam Winnall: Offside far too often but seemed to be the only striker who looked like scoring. 6
Marley Watkins: Created a few opportunities and put in a great ball for Hammill to win the penalty. 6
Subs:
Ivan Toney (for Watkins, 71): Worried the visitors defence with his pace and held the ball up well late on. 6
Ryan Williams (for Isgrove, 71): Very rusty but showed he has the class to pull the Reds out of their current hole. 6
George Smith (for White, 77): Bizarre change when chasing the game, but offered fresh legs going forward. 6
Unused: Townsend, Bree, Roberts, Jackson.
Sheffield United: Long, Brayford, Collins, Edgar (McEveley 90+1), Harris, Coutts, Basham, Hammond, Campbell-Ryce (Woolford 69), Sharp, Done (Freeman 84).
Unused: Howard, Sammon, Reed, Adams.
Barnsley MOTM: Adam Davies.
Sheffield United MOTM: Dean Hammond: Showed his class in the middle of the park, exemplary passing and intelligence.
Attendance: 13,571.