Barnsley were well below par, yet they won't care too much because the victory stretched their unbeaten league run to nine matches and firmly established them in the top six.
The first half was particularly poor with neither side managing to string passes together and as the temperature dropped so did the standard of football.
Tranmere went close in the 51st minute when substitute Carl Tremarco lashed in a low 20-yard shot that was well saved by Scott Flinders.
But suddenly out of the blue came a move of surprising quality that saw Barnsley make a 58th minute breakthrough.
Chris Shuker started the ball rolling by putting striker Paul Hayes in the clear down the left and his terrific low cross to the far post was confidently dispatched by Martin Devaney.
Barnsley then lost Matt Carbon to injury but skipper Bobby Hassell stepped into the breach at centre-half and played well.
A superb one-handed save from Flinders prevented Chris Greenacre from levelling on 67 minutes before Barnsley added a killer second goal 13 minutes from time.
Striker Marc Richards was adjudged to have been brought down in the box and he got up to send Tranmere keeper Steve Wilson the wrong way from the spot.
Tranmere did manage a consolation goal two minutes into stoppage time as Delroy Facey forced the ball home from close range.