It was another disappointing result for Barnsley, beaten at St. Andrew's by Lee Bowyer's Birmingham City side.
Despite a late Victor Adeboyejo consolation goal, Barnsley were seen off for a 15th time in the league this season, thanks to Onel Hernández and Scott Hogan goals for the hosts.
Playing their first league fixture of 2022, the Reds - in all white - started well in the second city, and were arguably the more dominant side in the first half, but their profligacy in front of goal continued to be an issue, and once the home side took an undeserved lead, it was an uphill battle for Barnsley.
Both Adeboyejo and Callum Styles tested Blues 'keeper Neil Eitheridge inside the opening quarter, who was in good form to deny the Reds, particularly in the case of Victor's strike, that was superbly tipped over the crossbar from close-range.
The 'keeper wasn't as confident when Carlton Morris fired in a low effort, as the Reds broke on their hosts at pace. The big man's effort was fumbled by Etheridge, but former Barnsley man Marc Roberts hacked the ball away to avert the danger.
But, and we've seen the same pattern on many occasions this season, the Reds were made to pay for their lack of goals when Hernández was played in by Blues' captain, Lukas Jutkiewicz who had dragged both central defenders out of position. The Cuban, on-loan from Middlesbrough, easily sped clear of the trailing Jordan Williams, took the ball into the box on the angle before curling in expertly, with his right boot, beyond Brad Collins for 1-0.
HALF-TIME: Birmingham City 1-0 Barnsley
Things went from bad to worse soon after the interval. A nothing corner into the six yard box was missed by Collins, and his defenders, leaving Hogan to stab into the unguarded net and double the Blues' lead.
There were brief 'moments' for a demoralised Reds side, but Styles and Aaron Leya Iseka stumbled when presented with good openings and then Michał Helik saw his acrobatic volley come back off the post.
Blues were looking to see the game out in the latter stages, but Adeboyejo gave Reds fans brief hope when he drilled home with precision on his left foot, inside a crowded penalty area, but despite seven minutes of additional time, Barnsley couldn't fashion a leveller, and the wait for a league victory under Poya Asbaghi goes on.
FULL-TIME: Birmingham City 2-1 Barnsley
Collins, Williams, Andersen, Helik, Kitching, Gomes, Palmer (Moon), Styles (Thompson), Leya Iseka (Cole), Adeboyejo, Morris.
Unused: Walton, Sraha, Hondermarck, Marsh.
