Barnsley moved comfortably into the next round of the Carling Cup thanks to strikes in either half as toothless Darlington again failed to score.
The home side began the game brightly but stand-in striker Matt Clarke failed to trouble Barnsley keeper Nick Colgan from 15 yards.
In Barnsley's first serious attack they took the lead in the 14th minute. A free-kick conceded by Brian Close allowed Chris Shuker to curl a superb 25-yard shot beyond Sam Russell in the Darlington goal.
Seconds later Shuker was put through by Mick Boulding and looked certain to score again until Russell raced off his line to clear.
Darlington were kept on the back foot when Sam Russell was tested by Paul Reid in the 19th minute and then a couple of minutes later Boulding fired narrowly wide from the edge of the area.
In the 27th minute Boulding headed straight at Russell after being set-up by former Darlington favourite Barry Conlon.
Darlington had a good opportunity to equalise in the 37th minute but from a good position Craig Russell's free-kick sailed over the crossbar.
As half time approached Darlington continued to push forward and a minute before the interval Craig Russell connected with a flick on by Clarke, but his poor effort was easily dealt with by keeper Colgan.
The home side had plenty of possession in the early stages of the second period.
In the 49th minute Ian Clark fired over the crossbar and defender Joseph Kendrick fired goalwards from 20 yards but straight at the keeper.
A minute later Colgan again denied Craig Russell and soon afterwards the home side made a change when young Argentinean Leandro Scartiscini came on for Clarke.
But it was the visitors who gained the upper hand by sealing the tie in the 75th minute.
A mistake by midfielder Clark Keltie put defender Curtis Fleming in trouble and although the former Middlesbrough defender looked to have tackled Boulding fairly referee Graham Laws pointed to the spot.
Reid stepped to test Sam Russell from 12 yards and the keeper pulled off a great save only for Laws to signal a re-take.
Again Reid stepped up and again Russell guessed correctly but the ball escaped him and bobbled over the line.