Martin Smith shrugged off his injury nightmare to earn Huddersfield Town their first home win of the season.
Smith missed all of last season with serious knee damage and on his comeback on the opening day of the new campaign he succumbed to yet another injury.
But after declaring himself fit 24 hours before kick-off Smith rose from the substitutes bench in the second half to add the killer touch Town had lacked for most of the game.
Smith joined the action in the 53rd minute replacing fellow winger John Thorrington who had suffered an eye injury in a clash with Barnsley skipper Keith Curle.
And within six minutes of entering the game the former Sunderland and Sheffield United hitman was on the scoresheet blasting Danny Schofield's cross through the legs of exposed goalkeeper Andy Marriott.
Huddersfield should certainly have scored more goals in a game dedicated to club stalwart Nigel Beardsell who died last week from cancer.
But a combination of poor shooting and excellent goalkeeping from Marriott ensured the Terrirers endured a nervy last few minutes.
Barnsley created few chances of their own but the ones they did all fell to striker Bruce Dyer.
Dyer collected a long ball from Paul Gibbs in the 15th minute and although his powerful shot stung the fingers of Huddersfield goalkeeper Scott Bevan he recovered in time to collect the ball at the second attempt.
John Stead enjoyed an impressive full home debut and almost caught Marriott out with a long-range effort in the 16th minute before playing a part in winning a free-kick inside the Barnsley box which Marriott palmed away superbly from Kenny Irons.
After the break the home side should have opened the scoring through veteran striker Kevin Gallacher but he was once again denied by Marriott.
Gallacher and Stead combined once again eight minutes after Smith's goal but the youngster's touch let him down as he attempted to deliver the killer blow and Marriott was quickly out to smother