Barnsley, who were conquerors of local rivals Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday in their last two home matches, didn't look out of place against last season's beaten play-off finalists.
The home side, with their sights set on dragging themselves out of the relegation zone, matched a City who are flying high again this term.
City almost stole the lead with a bolt from the blue when Gavin Williams raced in as Stephen Foster headed out of the area but his shot from 35 yards flashed just wide.
The home side responded when Brazilian midfielder Anderson Silva robbed former Barnsley winger Michael McIndoe early on and slid a neat pass to Iain Hume.
The Canada international should have added to his four goals but hesitated and, when he fired his shot from 12 yards, Adriano Basso made a routine save.
City produced impressive slick play in the middle but Barnsley held them at bay and long-range efforts from McIndoe and Lee Johnson were blocked.
Silva caused more problems for the visitors but fired over from the edge of the box and a free kick from Hume failed to trouble Basso.
Just before the break, Hume appealed for a penalty when he was held in the area but his appeal was waived away.
But after the restart, Barnsley were agonising after two more chances went close to breaking the deadlock.
City keeper Basso was penalised for collecting a back pass in the area and Jamal Campbell-Ryce blasted a shot that deflected onto the bar, before Jon Macken's follow up shot was blocked on the line by Johnson.
As Barnsley continued to control the game, Silva had another shot that went close.