Paul Harsley's side were held to a draw this afternoon on the Oakwell pitch.
The Reds started the brighter in sunny conditions, Stevie Mallan's free-kick from 30 yards out whistling just over the crossbar, and just a few minutes later Harsley's men took the lead their good start deserved.
After a fine run down the left from Dylan Mottley-Henry, he sent in a low cross to the near post which trialist Victor Adeboyejo slammed in with power, off the inside of the post.
Josh Kay was finding space to shoot from distance and with half an hour played he cracked in another drive which rattled off the inside of the Colchester post.
The young Reds had to settle for the 1-0 half time lead.
HALF TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Colchester
The visitors hit back in the early stages of the second period when the Reds failed to clear their lines and a forward stroked home from inside the six yard box.
Cameron McGeehan continued his road to recovery with a good 60 minutes before being replaced by Academy Player of the Year, Matty Wolfe.
The Reds regained the lead soon afterwards when Kay again tried his luck from distance, his bullet of a shot beating the 'keeper all ends up from 25 yards out.
Colchester hit the crossbar late on before equalising thanks to a superb solo run and shot on the far right-hand side which crashed into the roof of the net to share the spoils.
Amir Berkovits replaced Mottley-Henry with minutes remaining but the game ended all square.
FULL TIME: Barnsley 2-2 Colchester
Walton (GK); Wardle, Trialist, Smith, B.Williams; Mallan, Kay, McGeehan, Mottley-Henry; Palmer; Trialist.
Greatorex (GK); Dolan, Wolfe, Clare, Berkovits.