They made heavy weather of things, but the Reds finally overcame Crewe in the weekend game at Oakwell.
Caretaker boss Mark Burton rang the changes after last weekend's 5-1 mauling at Crawley Town, with Adam Davies, Kane Hemmings, James Bailey and Jean Yves M'Voto all coming into the starting eleven, at the expense of Ross Turnbull, George Waring, Milan Lalkovic and Mason Holgate all making way.
Burton obviously meant what he said about dropping anyone who looked to have 'thrown the towel in' at Crawley the week before, however goalkeeper Turnbull has suffered a reoccurence of his back injury.
The game. Well, the less said about the first half the better. What a woeful half of football it was. Neither side looked like they wanted to keep hold of the ball and possession changed hands more times than I would care to mention.
Crewe's Canadian forward Marcus Haber had two chances, one of which was a weak header that almost crept inside the near post following a corner, and another when he was sent clear, shrugged off Lewin Nyatanga but Davies came to the Reds rescue with a good save with his legs.
The only Reds chance of note (apart from two dangerous Hourihane free-kicks that were horribly overhit) was when Leroy Lita found some space in the area and zipped a shot across goal which nicked a Crewe defender on the way through and Hemmings just couldn't get a foot on the ball to turn it home.
Hourihane paid the price for a poor first half by being replaced by debutant John O'Sullivan on half time, and while the quality of football didn't really improve, the Irishman really got the Reds going in the second half.
His first foray down the right wing brought a corner for the Reds and a fabulous delivery from young left back George Smith was met by skipper Cranie who bulleted his header over the bar, a great chance for Barnsley.
O'Sullivan's skill and directness down the right gave the Reds a new dimension. But behind him in the centre of midfield, James Bailey was having probably the best game of his Barnsley career so far.
His passing and ability to break up the play was fantastic, and he released Josh Scowen down the right hand side, who was cynically brought down by Crewe's number 42 Anthony Grant, who earnt himself a place in the book.
Scowen got up and delivered a superb free-kick, smack onto the head of Reds centre-half Lewin Nyatanga, who powered his header past Ben Garratt to hand his side a deserved lead.
Ben Pearson and Bailey were next to try their luck from distance but their efforts were too high. Crewe keeper Garratt then had to be replaced by Paul Rachubka after picking up a leg injury.
And his first involvement in the game was to literally gift the Reds their second goal. Another teasing corner delivery from Smith was headed high into the air and as the ball dropped back down Rachubka punched at the ball, but unfortunately for him, the ball spun off his gloves and into the back of the net.
The Reds were sauntering to the three points, with Hemmings going close with a snapshot from the edge of the area. He was soon replaced by youngster Rhys Oates and he fed Waring, who saw his shot repelled by Rachubka.
So that was that. It wasn't pretty but a very important win for the Reds to keep them clear of the bottom four and a good pick-me-up after last week's debacle in Sussex. Mark Burton's stock could well be on the rise with another win against Scunthorpe United tonight.
Player Ratings
Adam Davies: Didn't really have a lot to do. Made one good stop from Haber in the first half, but was a virtual spectator in the second. 6
Martin Cranie: A quiet game from the skipper. Got forward and supported Hourihane first half but dropped a bit further back after the introduction of O'Sullivan. Had a good chance to give the Reds the lead but headed over. 6
Jean Yves M'Voto: The trouble comes when he tries to play the ball on the ground. Imperious in the air but scares the life out of everyone when the ball is at his feet. Having said that, he had a reasonably good game. 6
Lewin Nyatanga: Still feel as though he's an accident waiting to happen. A couple of hashed clearances got in the way of what was a decent performance. And his bullet header set the Reds on their way. 7
George Smith: A great display from the youngster. Hardly put a foot wrong all game and dealt well with the threat from Crewe. 7
James Bailey: Best I've ever seen from him. Never surrendered possession and looked calm and composed on the ball and set up several attacks. Excellent. 8
Ben Pearson: Another good tenacious display from the Man Utd loanee. Worked well with Bailey and Scowen and looks a real star for the future. 7
Josh Scowen: He's a nasty little fella isnt he! Never ducks out of a challenge and delivered a pinpoint freekick for Nyatanga's opener. 7
Conor Hourihane: Poor from the Reds' top scorer. Overhit two dangerous free-kicks and never really got into the game. 5
Leroy Lita: Don't know what has happened to him since he came here. Never got into the positions to trouble Crewe, however he was good in the air. 6
Kane Hemmings: That strikers instinct seemed to desert him on Saturday. Wasn't alive to any dangerous crosses into the box and looked laboured. 5
Subs
John O'Sullivan (for Hourihane, 45): Changed the game. Gave the Reds a more direct approach and his pace and trickery gave the Crewe full-back all sorts of strife. Looks a good signing. 7
George Waring (for Lita, 65): Seemed to link up with Hemmings better than Lita and gave the Reds a real aerial presence going forward. 6
Rhys Oates (for Hemmings, 90+2): Fed Waring for a good chance at the death but not enough time on the pitch to rate. N/A.
Unused Subs: Dibble, Lalkovic, Holgate, Berry.
Crewe: Garratt (Rachubka 71), Davis (c), Ray, Tate (Waters 80), Turton, Baillie, Jones, Ness, Grant (Cooper 69), Haber, Ajose.
Unused Subs: Inman, Nolan, Leigh, Stewart.