The Reds saw off a spirited Rochdale outfit this evening thanks to an Ike Ugbo brace.
It was a lively start at Spotland in the Reds' penultimate pre-season friendly, with Lloyd Isgrove flashing a snap-shot just wide of the right-hand post following a fine run and cross by Adam Hammill.
With seven minutes on the clock, the hosts had their first opportunity when Brad Inman ghosted in at the far post but saw his tame effort saved comfortably by Reds 'keeper Nick Townsend.
Just a few moments later and Townsend had to be alert again at his near post when Adam Jackson slipped on the greasy surface, Ian Henderson though didn't get enough power on the shot to trouble the Barnsley stopper.
It was all Rochdale at this stage and again, Townsend was forced into work but this time it was a save right out of the top drawer as he brilliantly tipped over a Callum Camps piledriver from 30 yards out.
On the half-hour mark Barnsley went close. A Jackson header swept off the line following a Zeki Fryers corner to the far post.
Centre half Liam Lindsay had to come off after a knock to his thigh; Ethan Pinnock the man on in his place.
An effort from 20 yards out by Tom Bradshaw sailed harmlessly over the crossbar as the first half petered out with the game goalless.
HALF TIME: Rochdale 0-0 Barnsley
Reds Gaffer Paul Heckingbottom made four changes at the break, introducing Angus MacDonald, Andy Yiadom, George Moncur and Ike Ugbo, with Jackson, Fryers, Brown and D'Almeida replaced.
With five minutes of the second half played Rochdale thought they'd taken the lead but Andrew was offside as he reacted to a blocked Henderson strike inside the six yard box.
On 55 minutes it was the Reds who nearly broke the deadlock. Bradshaw found himself one-on-one with the 'keeper but as he advanced, his shot was fired straight into his midriff.
Alex Mowatt replaced Joe Williams with 64 minutes gone and the midfield maestro's introduction turned the tide for the Reds.
Barnsley took the lead after 69 minutes of play and it arrived in fine fashion.
A crossfield ball from Hammill found its way to the left flank and after Yiadom and Moncur combined excellently to work space, Isgrove received the ball at the touchline and whipped in a lovely cross that Bradshaw headed goalwards; Lillis didn't get enough on the save and Ike Ugbo forced the ball home on the line.
Ben Williams replaced McCarthy with 10 minutes remaining.
And Hecky's lads sealed the victory with a minute to spare..
It was Ugbo with his second, and a superb goal for the Reds; latching on to Moncur's through-ball, holding off his marker before coolly rounding Lillis and slotting into the empty net for 2-0.
FULL TIME: Rochdale 0-2 Barnsley
Townsend (GK); McCarthy (B.Williams), Jackson (MacDonald), Lindsay (Pinnock), Fryers (Yiadom); Hammill, Sessi (Moncur), J.Williams (Mowatt), Isgrove (Mallan); Brown (Ugbo), Bradshaw.
Att: 989
