Barnsley had to settle for a point on Wednesday night, twice pegged back by hosts, Stoke who had a man sent off.
The game was very end-to-end in the opening stages, both looking to find runners in behind, but it wasn't until 10 minutes into the match that a first real opportunity presented itself.
It was a fine run out wide by Dominik Frieser, down the right and latching onto an Alex Mowatt ball over the top he hooked the ball to the far post where it was met nicely on the volley by Cauley Woodrow but the striker's effort was blocked on the line by Stoke defender Nathan Collins.
Barnsley took the lead on 18 minutes as a quickly taken throw-in by Frieser into the feet of Woodrow saw our number spin his marker before playing an inviting square ball into the area where the on-rushing Elliot Simoes pounced, stabbing home from close-range, diverting the ball into the corner beyond ex-Reds 'keeper Adam Davies.
Our number one had to be down sharply just after the half-hour mark to deny Steven Fletcher. The Scot was played in one-on-one by Nick Powell but Jack Walton's feet came to the rescue.
The hosts did level just before half time when Harry Souttar's hopeful through-ball was missed by Michal Helik and Tyreese Campbell did the simple job of finishing from 12 yards out, firing home for 1-1. It was a cruel blow, with the Reds dominant for much of the first half.
But right as the whistle was about to go, the Reds regained their lead as Mowatt put in a delightful curled cross that saw Frieser stick out a foot to grab the Austrian's first goal for the club.
HALF-TIME: Stoke 1-2 Barnsley
The lead didn't last long, however. A hopeful cross into the Barnsley box was claimed by Walton, but the Reds' stopper couldn't hold it, the ball falling nicely for Tommy Smith and the former Huddersfield Town man had the simple task of slotting into the vacant Reds goal for 2-2.
Palmer, who'd been impressive again, was replaced by Herbie Kane immediately following the goal.
It was nearly 3-2 soon after when another mixup in defence allowed Fletcher a chance inside the box but the Scottish international blazed the effort well over the crossbar.
Drama arrived on the hour mark as the home side were reduced to 10 men. Nathan Collins was dismissed for a coming together with Frieser 50 yards from goal.
The Reds began to attack incessantly, but were struggling with the final pass or shot, something that's dogged us for a while now.
With 15 minutes remaining, Woodrow slipped in Callum Brittain and the debutant saw his fierce effort blocked by Davies.
Davies was again to Stoke's rescue soon after as he denied Brittain on the half-volley after the hosts failed to clear a corner.
The Reds then introduced Luke Thomas, with him taking the place of goalscorer Simoes, and Patrick Schmidt also joined the fray, for Brittain.
With five minutes left, ex-Red Jacob Brown nearly stole in but his shot was blocked by the retreating Helik. Had it not been, the home side would have probably taken the lead.
Despite huffing and puffing at the other end, we couldn't force a winning goal, with the game ending in another draw, leaving us still in search of our first three points of the season.
FULL-TIME: Stoke 2-2 Barnsley
Walton, Brittain (Schmidt), J.Williams, Helik, Andersen, Oduor, Mowatt, Palmer (Kane), Frieser, Woodrow, Simoes (Thomas).
Unused: Addai, Halme, James, Chaplin.
