Reading had won just twice in their previous 13 games and Barnsley only three times in 17.
Add to that Reading's failure to win at home since January and Barnsley's failure to win in their last five away games and the stage was hardly set for a thriller.
The first half was dreadful although both sides had their half chances.
The first came in the third minute when Reading's Noel Hunt swung over a right-wing cross which brother Stephen got his head to but he sent the ball over the bar.
Barnsley survived that threat and in the 11th minute mounted a raid of their own which ended with Jon Macken firing just over the bar.
Then Dave Kitson swung in a cross from the left which Noel Hunt headed over and Jay Tabb brought a superb right-handed save from Barnsley keeper Luke Steele.
Reading's next chance came from a Stephen Hunt corner, but Kitson miscued his shot and sent the ball well wide.
Adam Hammill's free-kick for Barnsley did bring Marcus Hahnemann to his knees to save and ten minutes before the interval, Reading defender Andre Bikey sent a header over the bar.
Things did not improve after the break, although almost immediately Hahnemann was forced to make a smart save from Anderson Silva.
Next man up with an effort was Kitson, who headed Jem Karacan's free-kick at Steele to continue his dismal record of scoring only goal all season for either Stoke or Reading.
Barnsley survived a scare when Rob Kozluk's header back eluded his own keeper but the ball was scrambled away before it could cross the line.
Best save of the match came midway through the second half when Jimmy Kebe dashed down the left wing and set up Tabb, who saw his shot brilliantly pushed away by Steele.
Ten minutes from time, Kitson had another chance but shot straight at Steele and then fired a free-kick over the Barnsley bar as the game petered out into a draw.