An astonishing third round FA Cup-tie at Oakwell produced nine goals and ended in agonising defeat for the 10 men of Barrow.
Always behind, and playing under the handicap since the 39th minute, the Bluebirds battled every yard of the way before falling to the home side’s fifth goal in extra time.
To all intents ands purposes Barrow were out of the contest at half-time with Tom Beadling already showered and changed after his red card and the Tykes 2-0 to the good.
Remarkably Barrow fought back level, had to equalise again after going 3-2 behind and having to find a fourth goal to level up after Barnsly had taken the lead again.
A fifth Barnsley goal in the first period of extra time just proved one too many for the Bluebirds who had given their 1,200 travelling fans a performance to remember.
It was probably a sign of things to come in the third minute when Callum Brittain cut inside and let one go which Paul Farman did well to turn over the bar.
Barrow had given a debut to Anthony Glennon, their loanee from Burnley who settled well but the other recruit, Sunderland striker Will Harris had tested positive for Covid.
The first goal of nine arrived on 23 minutes when Mads Andersen got on the end of a curling free-kick from Callum Sykes to head over Farman.
The Bluebirds recovered well from the setback and from Remeao Hutton’s cross Glennon arrived late but his shot flashed just wide.
The crucial challenge which had such a bearing on the game came on 38 minutes when Beadling went in high for the ball and referee Ross Joyce was well positioned to judge it worthy of a red card.
Two minutes later Barrow were two down when full-back Jordan Williams got forward to reach a cross and was given two bites of the cherry before prodding past Forman.
Into the second-half and Barnsley keeper Jack Walton had not really been tested until the 65th minute – and he was picking the ball out of the net.
When Barrow were awarded a free kick in a central position 30 yards out Ollie Banks didn’t mess about. He simply thumped it as hard as he could and it flew into the top corner.
On 78 minutes it was all square. Former Barnsley midfielder Josh Kay drove into space down the right, fed the ball inside for Luke James and he set-up the advancing Glennon to score with a well-placed finish.
Within five minutes Barnsley regained the lead. Devante Cole did really well to gather the ball on the edge of the area before curling a terrific a shot into the top corner.
Then in an amazing climax there were three goals in the last four minutes to take the tie to extra time.
James Jones got on the end of a cross to head Barrow’s third on 86 minutes; Tykes substitute Carlton Morris slid home their fourth on 88 minutes and in the 90th minute Kay took full advantage of a James lay-off to drill the ball into the bottom corner.
Barrow did well in extra time but three minutes from the end Remy Vita’s deflected shot fell kindly for Morris who hammered home what proved to be the winner.
