A slow start out of the blocks cost Crewe Alexandra Under 23s a points return as Barnsley struck three times in the opening eight minutes to record an eventual 4-2 result.
Alex Morris' side were left shell-shocked at Oakwell with the barage of early goals, but did fight-back to 3-2 before half-time with the hosts restoring their advantage in the second half.
The Tykes had the lead in the third minute, Louis Walsh cutting in from the left & striking through a bundle of legs into the far corner.
The six minute mark heralded goal number two, a trialist whipping over a dangerous inswinging cross that evaded everyone & nestled into the far corner.
The whirlwind start for Barnsley continued into the eighth minute, striker Kieran Feeney heading in for 3-0 from close range after a trialist cross.
After being dismantled early doors, Crewe didn't crumble thereafter - the oppositie in fact.
Lewis Reilly was gifted an opportunity to reduce arrears from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, but the goalkeeper got down to save the spot-kick.
The first goal for the Alex did come though on 28 minutes, Joe Lynch this time curling over a cross that evaded everyone to nip in the corner for his second goal in as many games.
A minute later & the comeback was well & truly on, the in-form Oli Finney setting his sights from 25-yards & cracking his effort in off the underside of the crossbar for 3-2 at the interval.
Crewe couldn't keep up that forward momentum in the second half however, and fell further behind in the 57th minute when Tai-Reece Chisholm poked home from close range from a low cross.
Billy Sass-Davies did rattle the crossbar with a header two minutes later, but the hosts successfully held on to inflict defeat on Alex Morris' troops.
Next up for the Under 23s is a home meeting with Birmingham City at the Alexandra Park training ground on Monday 24 September.
Crewe: Charles-Cook (T), Johnson, Offord, Sass-Davies, Lundstram, Smith (T), Dawson (T), Lynch, Finney (Heath, 45), Reilly, Linton