Lee Hendrie battles Sam Togwell for the ball.
By Brendan McLoughlin, PA Sport
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Istvan Ferenczi's fourth goal in three games stunned Stoke at the Britannia Stadium as Barnsley climbed out of the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone.
The Hungarian striker took advantage of Jonathan Fortune's error with a clinical finish just two minutes before the break.
Through on goal, he coolly curled the ball past Steve Simonsen and lifted the Tykes three points clear of the drop zone and into 19th place in the process.
It capped a miserable first half for the inappropriately named Fortune, who should have given the Potters the lead in the 15th minute.
Returning to Tony Pulis' starting line-up after recovering from a virus, he somehow failed to connect with Liam Lawrence's inviting cross from close range.
Both sides entered the game full of confidence following recent wins, with Stoke having seen off Derby 2-0 and Barnsley boosted by a 3-0 win over Hull.
The Potters defence kicked off having conceded just two goals in their previous five games, but they were almost caught out just seconds in.
Stoke stopper Simonsen had an early chance to warm his gloves, saving Brian Howard's low shot after the Tykes forward had combined well with strike partner Ferenczi.
City, who had drawn their last four games at the Britannia Stadium, began to take control with Lee Hendrie pulling the strings in a free role.
Pulis' side played the better football and Darel Russell was unlucky when his snapshot flew just over the bar in the 26th minute.
Carl Hoefkens, who always looked a threat down the right flank, drilled the ball back across the goal but Simon Davey's side were able to clear the ball to safety.
But it was Barnsley who took a surprise 43rd-minute lead thanks to the Hungarian's unflappable finish.
Davey's side proved equally difficult to break down in the second half, with Ferenczy now playing as a lone striker as the away side did their best to frustrate Stoke - and their support.
City began to shoot from long range as they became increasingly disheartened with their inability to open up the stubborn Tykes rearguard.
Russell's sweetly struck piledriver was bravely blocked and Hendrie tried his luck from 25 yards - but his curling effort was comfortably caught by Colgan.
The midfielder began to lose his cool and was involved in an exchange of words with Neil Austin midway through the second half before getting his name in the book five minutes later for a late challenge on Grant McCann.
Ferenczi had a chance to net his second of the game when he again combined well with Howard but the Hungarian was unable to keep his header down.
The Potters continued to look at their most dangerous from Hendrie's set-pieces and they were inches from equalising with 10 minutes remaining.
Mamady Sidibe's bullet header from the on-loan Villa midfielder's free-kick seemed destined for the top-left corner but McCann was there to clear off the line.
Stoke continued to push for an equaliser late on with substitute Adam Rooney denied by Paul Heckingbottom's last-ditch tackle.
But it was Barnsley who claimed the three points with their first win at Stoke for 18 years to leave the Potters six points adrift of the play-offs.
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