Our U23s secured a point on the road against a table-topping Coventry City side littered with senior experience.
Both teams created several opportunities in what proved to be an entertaining goalless draw in the Professional Development League.
The hosts started brightly and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the early stages.
However, the Reds grew into the game and spent most of the first-half in control.
The first clear-cut opportunity of the afternoon fell to Kareem Hassan-Smith, who rattled the post after being teed up by Keegan Hartley.
Aiden Marsh was the next to threaten and was unlucky to see his swerving strike parried by Cian Tyler in the Sky Blues goal.
Coventry’s man between the sticks had to be alert again barely a minute later, when Hartley capitalised on a defensive mix-up and sent a shot towards goal.
Although Martin Devaney’s men were firmly on top, Daniel Jinadu did have to rescue the Reds with a fantastic save from a close-range strike after Coventry launched a counter-attack at speed.
Hartley then went close again after another incisive dart into the box but saw his effort saved.
HALF-TIME: Coventry City 0-0 Barnsley
Coventry found their rhythm again after the interval and began asking questions of the Reds.
However, Devaney’s side weathered the storm and both Aapo Halme and Amir Ariely made crucial blocks.
The hosts were threatening on the counter-attack but could not find the opener and Jasper Moon brought a particularly dangerous break to an abrupt halt with an excellent sliding tackle.
Although Coventry were rallying, the Reds continued their hunt for the elusive first goal and Ariely headed narrowly wide after meeting Will Lancaster’s cross.
Jinadu made a series of superb saves in the latter stages, frustrating the hosts on numerous occasions as they went for the jugular.
In the end, neither side could make the breakthrough and had to settle for a share of the spoils.
FULL-TIME: Coventry City 0-0 Barnsley
REDS XI: Jinadu, Hassan-Smith, Hodgson (Pickard, 60), Ariely, Halme, Moon, Lancaster, Hondermarck, Thompson, Hartley, Marsh.
Not used: Flavell, D. Benson, Nejman, T. Chapman.