They started like an absolute house on fire, but a second half capitulation ensured the Reds suffered an opening day defeat for the third season running.
Another unenviable stat is that the Reds have only won two opening fixtures in the last ten seasons, 1-0 at home to Middlesbrough in 2012/13 and a 2-0 win over Swindon in 2005/06.
Five of the new summer recruits started the game at the Proact Stadium on a baking hot afternoon in Derbyshire. Alfie Mawson captained the side, alongside Marc Roberts in defence. Loan signings Ben Pearson, Dan Crowley and Conor Wilkinson were also handed starts with Joe Rothwell and Marley Watkins on the bench.
Josh Scowen was played at right wing-back, due to the absence of Mason Holgate, who is believed to be heading to Bournemouth, and the injury of James Bree.
And they got off the best possible start, when Crowley picked the ball up in his own half, drove through two challenges and found Wilkinson, who still had work to do, but he evaded two Chesterfield challenges, before lashing home from 12 yards.
This heightened the noise coming from the 1,975 Barnsley fans situated in the away end, and the football the Reds played in the opening 20 minutes was giving them real optimism for the season ahead.
Sam Winnall really should have doubled the lead just before the midway point of the half. He danced through the Chesterfield defence, did all the hard work but sadly shot straight at Lee, a real opportunity.
From that moment onwards, the Spireites took control. Winger Ariyibi was causing Josh Scowen no end of trouble down the left, with Scowen being played as a right wing-back, horribly out of position.
But anything the home side threw at the Reds, the back four was repelling it. In particular, Marc Roberts was absolutely immense. He and Mawson look to have established a real partnership at the back, and behind them, Adam Davies was in inspired form.
Crowley went close, before an inswinging free-kick from Conor Hourihane was met by Roberts, but he sent his header wide.
Davies then ensured the Reds went into half time with a slender lead, tipping over a shot from Dan Gardner, before rushing out to block a Sam Hird effort in the six yard box.
Into the second half, and it really did seem like it would be a matter of time before the home side equalised, and three minutes into the second period, they did.
Some good work down the left by Ariyibi (although it did look at one stage like the ball had gone out of play) saw him get to the byline, cut back and Jay O'Shea controlled before rifling high past Davies.
Crowley and Wilkinson were withdrawn on 57 minutes, with right-back George Williams coming on with Marley Watkins. This brought Scowen back into his familiar central midfield and he was typically all action once switched.
Mawson thumped the post from a tight angle after a Winnall cross, before Sylvan Ebanks-Blake somehow skied over the bar from point blank range.
Scowen headed wide before a crucial interception denied him a free header from a Williams cross, but the home side took a deserved lead minutes later.
A left wing corner wasn't dealt with and it left Ebanks-Blake the easiest task to tuck the ball into the net. And almost from the kick off, the Spireites sealed the game.
A poor clearance from Williams fell at the feet of Sam Morsy, and his shot clipped the inside of the post and dropped into the corner of the net. A real body blow for Lee Johnson's young side.
One more chance would come for Barnsley, after Marley Watkins was unended on the edge of the box. Hourihane's effort was too high and with it, went the Reds' chances of salvaging anything from the game.
Player Ratings
Adam Davies: Kept the Reds in the game in the first half with many good saves and couldn't do anything about any of the second half goals. 7
Josh Scowen: Was murdered down the left in the first half due to being played out of position. When switched, was his usual busy, combative self. 5
Marc Roberts: Immense in the first half and possesses a dangerous long throw. Looks like he'll be a good signing. 8
Alfie Mawson: Looked solid until the second half but still looks a top player. 6
Lewin Nyatanga: The elder statesman in this young side but still looks a bit dodgy to me. Too many upwards headers and hashed clearances. 5
George Smith: Got forward well and generally quite a good display. Subbed. 6
Conor Hourihane: Tried his hardest in midfield and actually got stuck in. 6
Dan Crowley: This kid has something special. Close control better than any Barnsley player I've seen. Frightening talent but tired into the second half. Subbed. 7
Ben Pearson: All action as ever, good to have him back. 6
Conor Wilkinson: A great strike and held the ball up very well. Needs to time his runs better so he doesn't rival Nardiello as the most often offside striker in history. Subbed. 7
Sam Winnall: Put himself about and linked up well with Wilkinson, but really should have doubled the Reds lead in the first half. 6
Substitutes
George Williams (replaced Crowley, 57): Didn't deal with Ariyibi on the left hand side, and his poor header led to third goal, only a young lad though and I'm sure he'll improve. 5
Marley Watkins (replaced Wilkinson, 57): He looked good. Quick and clever with the ball at his feet. Could be a key player this season. 6
Joe Rothwell (replaced Smith, 83): Didn't really see enough of him. Showed a couple of neat touches though. 6
Unused: Townsend, Maris, Digby, Phenix.
Reds Man of the Match: Marc Roberts.
Chesterfield: Lee, Talbot (Raglan 77), Jones, Hird, Evatt, Morsy, Banks, Gardner, Ariyibi (Dieseruvwie 90), O'Shea, Ebanks-Blake (Gnanduillet 81).
Unsued: Cairns, Humphreys, Harrison, Onovwigon.
Chesterfield Man of the Match: Gboly Ariyibi, gave whoever was at right-back for the Reds absolutely no rest, quick, tricky and just too good on a couple of occasions.
Up next: Scunthorpe United v Barnsley (Capital One Cup Round 1) Glanford Park, Tuesday 11th August 2015.
Next at Oakwell: Barnsley v Burton Albion (Skybet League One) Saturday 15th August 2015.