But it was the home side who created the first opening when Peter Lipcsei sent Rosa running clear into the box - only for Graham Stack to stretch out a hand to block his clipped shot.
The Barnsley defence was soon back under pressure with Bobby Hassell and Foster clearing a Benayoun shot off the line before Howard's block kept out Crouch's follow-up.
But the former Southampton striker almost made his mark when he ran on to Richardson's pass, out-muscled Dunne and fired in a shot that Joe Hart did brilliantly to block with an outstretched arm.