Preston 1 (Gallagher pen 16)
Reds 0
Barnsley need to roll their sleeves up and start winning their individual battles if they are to get back into this one at Deepdale.
After both sides saw efforts sail over the bar early on, the Reds should have taken the lead on five minutes through Leroy Lita.
Berry was played in down the right, his pull-back was on a plate for Lita 12 yards out but he scuffed wide with practically just the 'keeper to beat.
The Reds looked bright and creative, with Hemmings dropping short to help set up Barnsley attacks.
Preston won a free-kick in a dangerous area on 10 minutes that Gallagher delivered for Beckford in the box. The former Leeds man headed straight at Davies from 12 yards.
The hosts were handed a penalty after Barnsley failed to clear a deep corner at the second attempt. Berry brought Welsh down in the area and Gallagher was given a free shot at goal from 12 yards. He sent Davies the wrong way for 1-0.
Beckford got in behind the Reds again on 21 minutes but after pulling back from the byline, his shot was blocked for a corner by Ramage.
Adam Davies made a decent save on 25 minutes from Kilkenny's effort and Kevin Davies couldn't turn home the rebound.
Barnsley were looking comfortable with the ball but were struggling to get hold of the second balls and ricochets. Gallagher struck at Holgate at one end as Hourihane drilled wide at the other with the clock ticking towards half time.
Teams
Subs: Jones, Buchanan, King, Browne, Brownhill, Hayhurst, Little.
Reds: Davies, Berry, Nyatanga, Hourihane, Hemmings, Jennings, Ramage, Smith, Holgate, Bailey, Lita.
Subs: Dibble, Abbott, Digby, Oates, G. Williams, Cowgill, Trotta.
Referee: P. Tierney.
