Referee David Pugh sparked fury from both sides with two disputed goals - and then went off injured.
It was angry Swindon who first hit out at the Merseyside official when Barnsley took the lead after 14 minutes.
Town keeper Bart Griemink caught a looping header from Chris Morgan under the bar after Kevin Donovan's corner and when Tykes striker Rory Fallon charged in, Nat Lofthouse style, the keeper dropped the ball over the line and amazingly Mr Pugh gave the goal despite furious protests from the visitors.
Swindon's anger subsided 20 minutes later when another debatable goal gave them the equaliser.
Danny Invincibile looked to be clearly offside when a long ball forward dropped into his path. But the Swindon frontman took advantage with a darting run into the area before clipping a clever shot after keeper Andy Marriott had blocked his first effort.
Having made the two controversial decisions Mr Pugh went off injured seven minutes into the second half.
Swindon might have stolen a late winner when Marriott made a mistake to let in Town top scorer Sam Parkin, but Marriott redeemed himself with a finger-tip save to turn his effort over the top.
Afterwards Barnsley boss Glyn Hodges admitted: "I was quite surprised and delighted that he gave the goal because I didn't expect him to give it.
"It was the sort that Nat Lofthouse used to score.
"I thought their goal was offside, but you have to take the rough with the smooth. I was happy to take the first goal so I suppose I had to take the next one.
"I was happy with a draw because I thought we looked solid again and we are looking a bit harder to beat.
"I don't apologise for it not being pretty on the eye because after last season's relegation we have to give ourselves a chance to avoid it again."Swindon boss Andy King said: "Their goal was diabolical. Our lads were adamant that our keeper had the ball in both hands, but he was hit in mid-air.
"The ref must have been watching old black and white videos because I can't remember the last time a goal like that was given."