Barnsley suffered their first defeat of pre-season as they lost 4-0 at home to Championship play-off finalists Middlesbrough on Wednesday.
Missing Conor Hourihane, Sam Winnall, Ryan Williams and Adam Davies, the Reds held Boro at 0-0 until the break but then Albert Adomah and Kike scored twice each.
In a quiet and uneventful first half, home goalkeeper Christian Dibble was saved by the linesman's flag for offside after Adomah tapped in following a bad fumble.
Barnsley held their own before the break but, after bringing on Mason Holgate who is his trial at Manchester United and Marc Roberts at half-time, they conceded in the 47th and 49th minute.
Spanish striker Kike opened the scoring with a good finish then set up Adomah who netted after Dibble saved his first effort.
Conor Wilkinson had a shot saved by Tomas Mejias who then was even more impressive in denying a shot by Josh Scowen who was put clean through by a great move involving Marley Watkins and George Maris.
Dibble pushed Reach's low 25-yarder round the post then, when the corner was volleyed by the unmarked Adomah, showed strong fists to punch it behind.
But Adomah eventually fired the third into the bottom left corner from 20 yards out midway through the second half. Kike then made it four after being slipped through by Adam Reach in the 74th minute.
Dibble denied Adomah the chance of a third with a fine save which was match at the end by Mejias who kept Joe Rothwell out from point blank range.
Barnsley: Dibble; Bree (Roberts HT), Mawson (Wardle 87), Nyatanga (Holgate HT), Smith; Watkins, Rothwell, Pearson, Scowen, Phenix (Maris 58mins); Wilkinson (Jackson 67)
