The Tykes, who are already guaranteed a £1million jackpot from their amazing cup run came from behind to edge themselves closer to Championship safety'
It took Ipswich Town just 20 minutes to do what the Chelsea's millionaires failed to do, find a way through the Oakwell defence.
Velice Sumulikoski unleashed a fierce drive and keeper Luke Steele dived and parried the effort, but Pablo Counago reacted sharply and rammed home his low shot from eight yards.
Sumulikoski was close to claiming a second goal for Jim Magilton's side, but after he twisted into space in the area he fired wide.
Seven minute later it was Howard who put the home side back on level terms.
Skipper Howard snapped up his 12th goal of the season when Diego Leon, in for Martin Devaney who has a broken nose , aimed a clever ball into the area and as keeper Stephen Bywater was late off his line, Howard drove a cool shot past him.
Ipswich striker Alan Lee came close to regaining the lead early in the second half but headed Alan Quinn's free-kick wide.
Howard curled a 25 yard free-kick well wide as Barnsley looked dangerous, but a minute later another set-piece from the skipper was deadly accurate.
He curled in a superb corner and Jon Macken, cup-tied at the weekend, headed in from point-blank range.
Ipswich looked dangerous on the break and Lee powered into the area, but smashed an angled shot against the upright and Counago followed suit lashing a shot on the turn against the bar.
But on 81 minutes Alex Bruce upended Jamal Campbell-Ryce in the area and Howard hit his second from the penalty spot.
And three minutes from the end Howard claimed the final goal when his curling corner kick swept past Bywater and into the net.