Hartlepool's record unbeaten home record stretching back to well over a year was finally ended as they went down 2-1 against Barnsley at Victoria Park.
Ironically, the home team took the lead on 22 minutes after Barnsley had dominated the opening quarter.
The goal came when a long right-wing throw from Ritchie Humphreys was missed by everybody in a crowded six-yard area and Eifion Williams was unmarked opposite the far post as he slammed his shot into the roof of the net.
That was a signal for Hartlepool to take control, and they peppered shots on the Barnsley goal, but wayward finishing kept the score down.
And, in the last minute of the first half, Barnsley cashed in when danger man Kevin Betsy slotted in from close-range after home keeper Jim Provett did well to stop a shot from Steve Carson.
It was man of the match Betsy who decided the game on 68 minutes, latching on to a long ball from sub Chris Lumsdon, racing clear of the defence and scoring from a tight angle on the right of the area.
Earlier, Hartlepool had strong penalty appeals turned down by Premiership referee Neil Halsey, the first when Gary Monk appeared to charge Chris Shuker down deep inside the area.
That had angered the home fans ten minutes before Betsy's goal, and two more controversial decisions went against Hartlepool in the final minutes.
The first came when home sub Steve Istead appeared to be dragged down by Neil Austin and seconds later a Barnsley hand clearly touched the ball in the six-yard area.
But the Tykes survived to clinch a win that keeps them in third place in the Second Division, applying pressure on QPR and Plymouth.
"We expected a hard game, and that's what we got," said Barnsley manager Gudjon Thordarsson. "Both teams had chances and both teams had their spells of good play.
"But Kevin Betsy finished his chances well and that was the difference. He's a good player and we haven't seen the best of him yet." Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper added: "We played well, but didn't get the break. That's football.
"I'll have to have a look at the video evidence on the penalties, but these things happen. I felt we deserved more, but in the first half when we had chances we didn't take them, and got punished in the end."