Shrewsbury suffered late heartbreak as a stoppage-time penalty from Herbie Kane saw Barnsley snatch a late point at the Croud Meadow.
In what was a pulsating game, Town took the lead early in the first half when Nicky Cadden turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Tom Bloxham.
From that point on, both teams had numerous chances to score with Marko Marosi making two outstanding saves for Paul Hurst's side.
Town also carried a major threat going forward with Carl Winchester, Tom Bayliss and Aaron Pierre all going close.
But just as it looked like Shrewsbury would go on to secure a 1-0 win, Barnsley won a stoppage-time penalty which was converted by Kane.
Team news:
Boss Paul Hurst opted to make one change from the team that battled its way to an excellent point at Derby.
With Bloxham back from suspension, the forward returned to the side on the right wing with Tunmise Sobowale moving to the bench.
It meant Town remained in a 4-3-3 system with Winchester joined by Jack Hinchy and Bayliss in the middle of the park.
Up front, Bloxham started on the right flank with Jordan Shipley on the left and Dan Udoh the lone striker.
Barnsley entered the game with Neill Collins sat in the stands with the manager serving a touchline ban having picked up three yellow cards.
They lined up in a 3-5-2 system with Devante Cole and John McAtee the front two.
Report:
It was Town who flew out the blocks with Hurst's side opening the scoring in the seventh minute.
Initially, Tom Bayliss did well to squeeze the ball through to Udoh, who ventured down the left before drilling in a low cross.
And under pressure from Bloxham, that delivery was turned into his own net by Cadden.
Shortly after, another big chance came Shrewsbury’s way as Shipley’s corner was met by Morgan Feeney whose header was on target but hit Udoh.
The ball could have gone anywhere. But unfortunately for Town, it sailed inches past the post.
Barnsley created their first real chance just a minute later.
A quick counter-attack ended with McAtee cutting in from the flank before curling a strike at goal.
Marko Marosi, though, was equal to the effort and produced a good diving save to push the ball away.
Salop continued to play good football with Bloxham, Bayliss and Udoh all linking up nicely before releasing Mal Benning whose effort went just over the bar.
Barnsley then thought they had got themselves on terms in time added on at the end of the first half when Cole tapped in from close range - only to see the linesman raise his flag for offside.
It was Barnsley who created the first chance after the interval when McAtee got in behind the Shrewsbury defence but fired wide from a tight angle.
Town then came a whisker away from grabbing a second when Pierre headed inches wide following a dangerous Bayliss' free kick.
Despite this though, Barnsley continued to pluck away and Marosi pulled off an outstanding reflex save to deny Cadden’s deflected effort from the edge of the box.
Salop weren't content sitting on their lead and just three minutes later, Bayliss drove through on the counter-attack but saw his strike parried wide by Liam Roberts.
A flurry of chances then came for both sides in the space of four minutes with Barnsley blocking efforts from Udoh and Winchester.
Marosi made another great save to keep out a header in the 90th minute before Taylor Perry brought down Mael de Gevigney in the penalty area.
Herbie Kane stepped up to take the spot kick and smashed it into the top right to equalise for the visitors and deny Salop all three points.
Teams:
Shrewsbury: Marosi, Benning, Dunkley, Pierre, Feeney, Hinchy (Sraha 77), Winchester (Perry 88), Shipley (Bennett 77), Bayliss, Bloxham, Udoh.
Subs not used: Burgoyne, Bowman, Sobowale, O’Brien
Barnsley: Robets; Earl, De Gevigney, Williams, Cadden, Kane, Russell (Cosgrove 62), Phillips, O’Keeffe (Cotter 80), McAtee (Grant 79), Cole.
Subs not used: Killip, Marsh, McCart, Yoganathan
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Attendance: 5,550 (496 away).
