The Barnsley midfielder was given his marching orders nine minutes before the break, but his team-mates dug in to frustrate the home side and earn a share of the spoils.
Howard could have had no complaints about a booking after he cynically tripped City full-back Lewis Emanuel as he sprinted away from his own penalty box. But to the delight of the home fans and the anger of the visitors referee Andre Marriner harshly showed the Tykes man a straight red.
Howard's dismissal meant his side were left to play out the remainder of the contest with just one man up front and Andy Ritchie's team were left to rue some early misses.
The Tykes had the better of a niggly opening with winger Martin Devaney posing problems down City's right. His mazy running created a series of openings, but Barnsley failed to find the killer touch in front of goal.
After 12 minutes the best chance of the half fell to City's leading scorer Dean Windass when a Ben Muirhead shot fell kindly for the veteran striker. He reacted instantly with a snap-shot from the edge of the box, but Barnsley keeper Nick Colgan brilliantly denied him with superb save.
City skipper David Wetherall threw himself in front of a close-range strike by Marc Richards and soon after Paul Hayes shot straight at the Bradford keeper when well placed.
On the half hour a surging run from Hayes was wasted when Richards failed to stretch City keeper Donovan Ricketts with a 12-yard strike.
Howard's dismissal should have given City the initiative but again it was Barnsley who wasted the better chances.
Chris Suker blazed wide from the corner of the Bradford box and Richards saw his point-blank effort blocked by the legs of Ricketts.
With the home fans' frustration increasing Muirhead followed Howard into the dressing room for a second bookable offence after he clashed with Barnsley skipper Stephen McPhail over a thrown-in.
With both sides reduced to 10 men the game was there for the taking but the two goalkeepers saved their best till last.
Ricketts showed his agility to keep out a far post header from Antony Kay with two minutes to go and Colgan pulled off an even better stop when he clawed away Windass' goal-bound header.