"We worked our socks off, went toe-to-toe with the top of the league and two lapses in concentration cost us the game and they gave us absolutely nothing," said frustrated Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom.
"Dwight Gayle was the difference and that's what they paid all that money for.
"On another day we might have got something from the game. It was much better tonight, but we've got to keep improving and aim higher."
Heckingbottom had heated words with Adam Hammill after substituting him late in the game and admitted he was not happy with the winger's attitude.
"It's not about him, it's a team game," he said. "Showing a lack of respect to his team-mates is not on. He is frustrated, but I had a big problem with him not showing the lads respect."