A stunning late header from skipper Brian Howard stretched Barnsley's unbeaten run to four games as they continued their impressive start to the season.
In a high quality clash they impressed against one of the Championship's big money teams and deserved the draw.
The Yorkshire side rode their luck in the first half as Cardiff's strikeforce of ex-Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler and former Chelsea star Jimmy Flloyd Hasselbaink looked dangerous.
But with Fowler misfiring and defenders Dennis Souza and Steve Foster in top form the home side kept the Welsh outfit at bay.
Fowler twice pounced on the ball as he patrolled around the area but snapped one effort straight at the keeper and lifted another one over, which in his heyday would have been buried.
Barnsley produced some slick work going forward but found it difficult to break through a well organised defence but the home side almost found a way through after 25 minutes from a corner, but Foster's header was cleared off the line by Kevin McNaughton.
But Hasselbaink struck with a super header in the 72nd minute which went in off the post . Barnsley hit back and Howard, the smallest player on the pitch, headed in a super cross from Martin Devaney.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones was ordered to the stand just before half-time after angrily claiming his side had been denied a cast iron penalty when Joe Ledley was felled in the area by Howard.
But Jones was unrepentant afterwards and fumed "It was there to see.
"We have big referees to come down into this division, it is a select game he has not been demoted and he didn't make the big decision.
"If we doesn't make the decision then he has got to book Joe Ledley for diving. The lad took his leg away it is a penalty it's a simple as that "