Jamal Campbell-Ryce's winner secured Barnsley's Championship survival as they did everything they needed to do by beating Plymouth Argyle 2-1. Simon Davey's visitors travelled to Home Park knowing that a point against the Pilgrims would guarantee their Championship survival and condemn nearest relegation rivals Norwich to League One football next term.
And the nerve-jangling afternoon did not start according to plan when on-loan Blackburn striker Paul Gallagher crossed for defender Gary Sawyer to head home his third of the season from close range.
Plymouth were inches away from doubling their lead as Alan Judge's effort came back off the bar, but news of Norwich's demise down at Charlton soon soothed visiting fans' nerves.
Palpitations soon turned to jubilation for the Barnsley supporters when Adam Hammill drove home a thunderous strike to ensure the game was level at the interval and destiny was once again in the visitors' hands.
And, two minutes into the second period, Davey's men took the lead through Campbell-Ryce, with the Tykes clinging on to ensure a memorable survival at the expense of Norwich.
The tension was tangible amongst the travelling contingent and their team did their nerves no favours as they fell behind after just 12 minutes.
Barnsley were made to pay for early missed opportunities as Plymouth broke away with a sweeping counter-attack move.
After several swift passing interchanges, Paul Gallagher delivered an incisive cross from the left, finding defender Gary Sawyer unmarked to power his header beyond Luke Steele from six yards.
But the heartbreak was short-lived for those visiting fans who had made the 300-mile journey to the south coast as news filtered through of Charlton's opener against Norwich at The Valley.
Back on the pitch, Rudolph Douala's pull-back fell to Judge but his ferocious drive was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Steele as the Tykes continued to live on the edge.
But the nervous ripple of encouragement from the visitors' end soon turned into a whole-hearted roar as ear-piece radios informed them Norwich had now fallen two down.
And there was even more cause for celebration in the 33rd minute.
Veteran striker Jon Macken showed great perseverance before nodding the ball into Hammill's path 25 yards from goal, and the on-loan Liverpool midfielder unleashed a devastating drive which sailed into the roof of Romain Larrieu's net.
It was Hammill's first goal for the club - and the 21-year-old is unlikely to score a more crucial one.
By the interval Norwich had a mountain to climb as they had slumped to a 3-1 deficit at Charlton, but moments after the re-start, Barnsley finally began to shape their own destiny.
Journeyman striker Macken was again the creator as he slipped past his marker before laying the ball off for the on-rushing Jamaica international Campbell-Ryce who lashed home his ninth goal of the season from the edge of the area in the 47th minute.
Plymouth threatened only sporadically in the second period - Carl Fletcher's long-range effort whistling over the bar and Judge's thunderous hit being bravely blocked by Stephen Foster.
Instead it was the rejuvenated visitors who were now firmly in the driving seat as Brazilian Anderson De Silva executed a spectacular overhead kick attempt which narrowly missed the target.
The remainder of the clash was a lesson in composure from Davey's men as they calmly knocked the ball around, knowing a point would secure their Championship status with the Canaries now 4-2 down and resigned to resignation, but three could rescue their pride.
And so it was - Plymouth barely registered a shot in anger during the final quarter of the game as Barnsley did everything they needed to do to guarantee their survival.
