The Reds' superb form continues as they come from behind to claim a precious three points here at Oakwell.
A 75th minute Cauley Woodrow strike was the difference in this absorbing encounter, as Daniel Stendel's side claimed another big Sky Bet League One victory against a tough Rochdale side who more than matched Barnsley in spells.
The Reds' Head Coach had stuck with an unchanged XI for a second week running, with a first Oakwell appearance in the matchday squad for recent signing Jordan Green.
The first half was largely uneventful, scrappy for large parts and often interrupted by a somewhat fussy referee in Mr Young.
Dale midfielder Callum Camps tried an effort from just outside the box after good football between him and Stephen Dooley, but the shot flew a foot over the crossbar of Reds skipper Adam Davies.
Top goalscorer Kieffer Moore then blazed a chance wide on 12 minutes after some intricate work down the left flank by both Mamadou Thiam and Ben Williams.
On 20 minutes, Thiam was waiting for a tap-in when the Reds had charged forward on the break, but Jacob Brown's low cross was wonderfully intercepted by the sliding tackle of Ethan Hamilton.
But that was about it for chances in the opening period. Barnsley had further opportunities to create, but poor final-balls or decision making let them down and it ended 0-0 going into the interval.
HALF TIME: Barnsley 0-0 Rochdale
Stendel used his bench during the break, introducing Kenny Dougall in an effort to strengthen midfield as Thiam was replaced.
But on 49 minutes it was the visitors who took the lead, with the Reds caught out by a quick free-kick and Ian Henderson beat the offside trap to slot home beyond Davies from just inside the box.
But within five minutes, parity was restored. A determined Ben Williams nipped in ahead of the Dale midfield, Moore took over and fired a shot in low and hard with his weaker left foot that found the bottom corner.
On 57 minutes came the first booking as substitute Dougall was cautioned after what looked a dive from ex-Red Ryan McLaughlin.
Dooley was next into the book for bringing down Alex Mowatt, and then on 69 minutes it was a superb Davies stop that prevented the away side regaining the lead, keeping out a fierce shot from Henderson on the angle.
But with 15 minutes left of normal time, up popped that man Woodrow who buried an opportunity six yards out after terrific play by Jacob Brown on the right hand side. It was Cauley's 9th goal in Barnsley colours and saw the Reds to a great comeback victory.
There were late sub appearances for new man Green and Victor Adeboyejo, with the former making a decent impact, making tackles and running at players at pace.
Some fantastic last-ditch defending saw the game out, as the Reds climbed to 3rd in the table.
FULL TIME: Barnsley 2-1 Rochdale
Davies, Cavaré, Pinnock, Lindsay, Williams, Mowatt, McGeehan, Thiam (Dougall 45), Brown, Moore (Green 78), Woodrow (Adeboyejo 89.