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Oakwell chief coach Ritchie, who only took over from sacked manager Paul Hart on Friday, looked like having to settle for a draw until Barnsley stung Posh at the bitter end.
Honours seemed set to be shared after Andy Legg celebrated his 700th league appearance with a second-half Posh equaliser. The 38-year-old sent a 73rd minute left footed shot into the roof of the net, just six minutes after Posh has fallen behind to a Michael Chopra penalty.
Referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot when Simon Johnson's progress was abruptly halted by home defender Mark Arber, Chopra stepping up to send goalkeeper Mark Tyler the wrong way to claim his 14th goal of the season.
A very even opening half threw up few clear cut chances, Chopra shooting narrowly wide for Barnsley before Nicky Wroe fired straight at Tyler. Jacob Burns then sent a shot just over the bar after Tyler failed to get to Stephen McPhail's teasing corner.
Posh's best opening fell to Andre Boucaud but the 20-year-old, recalled to replace suspended skipper Curtis Woodhouse, scuffed his shot and failed to trouble 19-year-old Scott Flinders making his debut in the Barnsley goal.
The pace increased after the break and Flinders saved at full stretch from Adam Newton and Wayne Purser before Richard Logan hit the woodwork.
But Barnsley still found that bit extra required with Nardiello restoring the lead, when beating Tyler from close range with 90 seconds left, before Shuker made it 3-1 in the first minute of added time.