The R’s took a second half lead through an opportunistic Paul Furlong finish, before Tykes substitute Daniel Nardiello levelled the scores in the 85th minute.
Then David Murphy beat Lee Camp with his curling free-kick with only a minute remaining, and Barnsley had thought they were going to secure all three points.
Cometh the hour cometh the man - Paul Furlong poked home an injury time equaliser to ensure Rangers would take a vital point away from Oakwell.
Ian Holloway had recalled Steve Palmer and Matthew Rose to the starting XI. Palmer came in to replace Bean who was named amongst the substitutes, while Rose partnered Arthur Gnohere in defence – in for the injured Clarke Carlisle.
Jamie Cureton was again partnered with Paul Furlong in attack, while Kevin Gallen and Gareth Ainsworth operated down the left and right flanks respectively.
Rangers started brightly, Cureton chasing down the ball under pressure. The Rangers striker did well to keep it in on the touch line, feeding Furlong, who found Ainsworth approaching into the penalty box with pace. Ainsworth’s delicate chipped cross found Kevin Gallen – who had made good position, but his header was deflected wide.
From the resulting corner Furlong rose highest and sent his header goalward. It brushed off the top of the crossbar, but the referee had already blown for a foul against the Rangers forward.
Rangers continued to push, with Ainsworth’s speculative 30 yard drive on 10 minutes forcing the Barnsley defence to take note. The Rangers winger connected sweetly, but Tykes ‘keeper Marlon Beresford held the ball to his chest.
Barnsley were to take the lead however, after winning a corner in the 22nd minute. Lee Camp rose and got to the curling cross, but it fell invitingly to Craig Ireland who powered it home from eight yards out.
Rangers responded from the restart, Gallen finding space to shoot inside the Barnsley box. The Rangers goal-ace controlled the ball well only 10 yards out on the left, but his powerful shot was palmed down by Beresford, and David Murphy cleared the rebound.
Then Cureton released strike partner Furlong through on goal. Furlong, running at pace, collided with Tykes ‘keeper Beresford who had come well off his line, seeing away the danger but going down heavily in the contest.
Beresford had to be replaced by young Tykes reserve ‘keeper Daniel Alcock, who was soon to be tested by the Rangers attack.
However first it was to be Camp who was to be tested in the Rangers goal. Chris Shuker sending in his shot from point blank range – saved by Camp, then sent wide by Steve Hayward on the follow up for the Reds.
Rangers were to level the scores on 32 minutes. Furlong doing all the work, chasing down the ball, sending in a low speculative cross, which was deflected by Antony Kay past his own ‘keeper, and spun teasingly over the line. The Tykes defence clearing the ball, but the goal was awarded as the referee’s assistant indicated that the ball had crossed the line.
Rangers were to have the last shot on goal of the half, when Furlong turned his header just over the crossbar from a Marc Bircham cross. Ranger go in level at the interval and look intent on building on their performance in the second half.
Rangers gathered in a huddle in the centre of the pitch before kick-off, and sprang from the blocks from the restart.
Furlong gathering the ball from a flick on, and, seeing Alcock off his line, sent in a lob, which the Tykes debutant ‘keeper did well to tip away to safety.
Matthew Rose found himself in the referee’s book on 47 minutes for a tough tackle on Shuker on the left flank. Moments later Barnsley received their first booking, after Kay’s trip on Furlong, who had rounded the Reds’ defender and was through on goal.
Rangers continued to pressure, and Gallen’s well weighted cross from the right flank on 52 minutes picked out Cureton who was advancing into the box. Cureton, who had swapped with Gallen on the left flank, steadied, and volleyed, but sent his shot wide.
Three minutes later it was Cureton again who had his sight set on goal. Marcus Bignot overlapped on the right, pulling back his pass across the penalty box, but Cureton scuffed his shot.
On 59 minutes tempers boiled over. Cureton was taken out with a dangerous tackle by Steve Hayward. Players from both teams streamed in, as the officials tried to restore order. Hayward was cautioned for his tackle, while Furlong was cautioned for his part in the heated exchange.
Ian Holloway then introduced Kevin McLeod for Ainsworth, with Cureton switching to the right of midfield. And Barnsley brought on Daniel Nardiello in the place of Alex Neil.
On 74 minutes rlRangers were to take the lead. Steve Palmer collected the ball on the right flank – sending in a looping cross – forcing the ‘keeper off his line. Alcock couldn’t get through the pack to the ball, and Furlong turned in the ball from two yards out to give Rangers the lead.
From the restart Rangers won possession, and Cureton sent in a stinging shot a minute later that took a good save to keep it out.
Cureton then made way for Marcus Bean on 85 minutes, before the Tykes were to level the scores.
Substitute Nardiello collected the ball on the left of the box, dragging the ball across his body, he fired his shot past Lee Camp.
However, more drama was to strike – Rangers conceding a free-kick from 30 yards directly in front on 89 minutes. David Murphy curling his free-kick past Lee Camp at his left upright – sending the Oakwell faithful into raptures.
With Rangers behind Ian Holloway brought Marcus Bean off, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes – sending on Tony Thorpe for one last gasp effort to take a point.
The effect was immediate, the ball falling to Thorpe’s feet in the box. A scramble ensued and Paul Furlong was on hand to poke home Rangers injury time equaliser – to ensure that Ranger would take at least a point home in their quest for promotion.
Rangers: Camp, Edghill, Bignot, Gnohere, Rose, Ainsworth (McLeod, 62), Gallen, Bircham, Palmer, Furlong, Cureton (Bean, 86)(Thorpe, 90)
Subs: Day, Forbes
Bookings: Rose, Furlong
Sent off: -
Scorer: Kay (og) 32, Furlong 74, 90
Barnsley: Beresford (Alcock, 24), Austin, Hayward, Burns, Betsy, Birch, Kay, Neil (Nardiello, 66), Shuker, Ireland, Murphy
Subs: Handyside, Lumsdon, Tonge
bookings: Kay, Hayward
Sent off: -
scorer: Ireland 22, Nardiello 85, Murphy 89
Referee: Mr A Wiley