It was a sweet return to Meadow Lane for Barnsley defender Craig Ireland, just a few months after he was not retained by Notts County.
When Barnsley captain Peter Handyside left the contest at the hour mark, Ireland was handed the captain's armband. His best moment was yet to come.
After a featureless 120 minutes which had failed to produce a goal Barnsley were leading 3-2 in the penalty shootout when Ireland stepped up to take their fifth penalty.
He drove the ball into the corner of the net, wide of his former team-mate Steve Mildenhall to send Barnsley through 4-2 on penalties.
Apart from the shootout it really seemed as if both sides could have played for another 120 minutes and not found a goal from open play.
One reason for that was the outstanding display of Magpies goalkeeper Mildenhall, who made three outstanding saves and was the busier of the two keepers.
Barnsley, taken all through, had the majority of play and the greater number of scoring opportunities.
It was hardly the fare to warm the crowd of 1,220 on a bitterly cold night.