Town lost out to a second successive injury time goal on their travels with Grant McCann giving Barnsley the point with a superb left foot finish.
Ironically it was Chris McCann who gave Burnley victory against Blues with a 90th minute header at the start of the month, with his namesake providing the decisive moment in time added on at Oakwell.
The game was also marred by what appeared to be a serious injury to Matt Bates, who was stretchered off midway through the second-half with what looked like a knee injury.
Dan Harding picked up a fifth yellow card and a suspension while the game did see a plus for Town with the return of Gavin Williams and Owen Garvan from injury and illness.
Lewis Price returned for his first game since sustaining a hip injury in the win at Southend in October, with Jon Macken coming in for ankle victim Billy Clarke.
Williams and Garvan were handed places on the bench, both having recovered from injury and illness.
Oakwell was only half full at kick-off, with both teams starting slowly, Ronnie Wallwork testing Price from 30 yards with a volley.
Daniel Nardiello slipped over when in a decent position after Jason De Vos had lost possession, while at the other end Gary Roberts' free-kick was met by Alan Lee but his header was comfortably gathered by Nick Colgan in the home goal.
Roberts showed terrific skill on the flank before whipping in a cross that just evaded Lee as the game passed the 20 minute mark.
The Republic of Ireland international was unlucky not to be granted a free-kick when he was clearly pulled back as he looked to get on the end of a Roberts' pass, referee Eddie Ilderton failing to see the foul.
Town had a scare on the half hour mark, Alex Bruce's header back fell short of Price and the 'keeper did well to force Leon Knight wide, the cross failing to find Nardiello.
Antony Kay picked up the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Lee, Roberts' free-kick just evading the diving Sylvain Legwinski at the nearpost.
No changes at the break for either side, with Price immediately in the action - throwing himself at Paul Hayes' cross to punch clear.
De Vos then got on the end of a Matt Richards' delivery but couldn't find the net with his header.
Blues started to turn up the pressure on the home goal and Dan Harding's overlapping run and then cross forced a corner as Lee looked to pounce at the nearpost.
On loan striker Knight carried the main threat for Barnsley and was left unmarked inside the box but failed to take advantage, then Grant McCann fizzed a shot just wide as the game sprung into life.
Town broke well after De Vos cleared from Knight and Richards and Macken combined to set up Lee, who found Colgan with his shot.
Town boss Jim Magilton made his first change just before the hour, Macken replaced by derby matchwinner Danny Haynes.
Harding picked up a fifth yellow card for a foul, a harsh decision as the full-back made minimal contact on Hayes.
Marc Richards came on to partner Knight in attack for Barnsley, Nardiello making way before Oakwell was silenced following an injury to Blues' Bates, the on loan defender clearly in agony as he was stretchered off with an apparent knee injury.
Garvan replaced him, making his first appearance of the season after being struck down with shingles and then post viral syndrome. Walton dropped in at right-back with the Irishman partnering Legwinski in midfield.
Marc Richards tested Price with a header, then the 'keeper watched Hayes' cross go harmlessly wide from a good position.
Williams was introduced for Roberts for the last quarter hour, his first appearance in two months after hernia surgery.
The midfielder immediately showed the touch that saw him become Blues' most influential performer before his injury, his curling shot forcing Colgan into a save.
At the other end, Bruce did well to clear from Knight, then Hayes tested Price from distance but there was no venom behind his strike.
Wallwork got above the Town defence but failed to find the target with his header from a corner as Barnsley threatened, then Haynes' flick on almost saw Lee in on goal, Colgan punching clear from under his line from the resultant corner.
Lee went close with another header before McCann sent the home fans home in delight with a rasping left foot volley from just inside the box.
It was hard on Blues, who deserved a point and the frustration showed at the end with Garvan booked for a foul on Wallwork, who was also cautioned in a hectic last few minutes.
Town: Price, Bates (Garvan 66), De Vos, Bruce, Harding, Roberts (Williams 73), Walton, Legwinski, Richards, Lee, Macken (Haynes 59). Subs not used: Supple, Naylor. Booked: Harding, Garvan.
