Blackpool made it back-to-back league wins thanks to a wonder strike from on-loan Steve Kabba.
The 27-year-old Watford hitman blasted a stunning 25-yard drive into the top corner and secured all three points to the delight of Simon Grayson.
Seasiders boss Grayson said: "That was a great strike to win any game. He picked it up and struck it like an arrow.
"I thought one goal would do it but wasn't expecting one like that.
"Barnsley were defending for their lives and made it difficult for us."
Tykes boss Simon Davey condemned to a third successive away defeat, groaned: "We deserved at least a point but it was a great strike. The only way they were going to score was from 30 or 40 yards and that's what happened."
Blackpool had two shots cleared off the line before Kabba struck.
But Tykes' Jon Macken had the first real chance midway through the opening half when he was denied by a good save from Paul Rachubka. The home side had plenty of chances, with Gary Taylor-Fletcher forcing a great save from Luke Steele after a bustling run from the middle of the pitch.
Grayson tried to turn the game around with a double substitution 10 minutes after the break - and it almost paid off instantly.
David Vaughan made a hash of his shot when put clean through by Adam Hammill minutes after coming on.
Fellow replacement Keith Southern had a powerful drive from the penalty spot blocked on the line by the impressive Stephen Foster following some excellent play from Kabba.
It began to look as if was not going to be Blackpool's day when another substitute, Daniel Nardiello, making his debut for the Seasiders against his former club also had a shot cleared off the line.
But former Sheffield United ace Kabba had other thoughts and produced a moment of magic with four minutes left to win the game.
Blackpool: Rachubka 7 - Barker 6, Evatt 7, Edwards 8, Camara 7 - Taylor-Fletcher 8, Fox 7 (Southern, 59mins, 6), Jorgensen 8 (Vaughan, 59mins, 6), Hammill 8 (Nardiello, 77mins) - "KABBA 9, Burgess 6.
Barnsley: Steele 7 - "FOSTER 8, Moore 6, Souza 6, Kozluk 7 - Devaney 7, Howard 6, Colace 5, El Haimour 7 (Teale, 54mins, 5) - Hume 5 (Odejayi, 45mins, 6), Macken 7 (Mostto, 83mins).
Referee: A Yates 7.