Yet the non-leaguers - who host Rotherham United tonight - only lost their way after an hour, when a host of substitutions were made, and Heslop's incisive influence and powerful running became even more profound on the game.
He scored two on 72 and 81 minutes, the latter a penalty.
Then he gave way for substitute Steven Bennett to grab some glory.
Confident and strong Bennett rammed in two in a minute as Barnsley exposed a tired home defence.
Sheffield could be proud of their earlier part, however.
Manager's post match reaction - AUDIO INTERVIEWSurviving a testing start from the visitors, they imposed themselves on either side of the half time interval.
Steve Wooley missed a clear chance to give them the lead. And Vill Powell, who stood up well to the buffeting attentions of Barnsley's centre-backs, skied a spectacular volley well over.
Despite the calm, elegant football of Barnsley's Johnson, Sheffield took the lead when Stiles finished off good interplay on the right side of the box, firing into the bottom corner.
It was as if someone had switched a light on - but for Barnsley not Sheffield!
They suddenly took the game much more seriously and Heslop, operating on both left wing and centre midfield, banged in a brace, one a penalty.
Bennett's presence made Barnsley's presence in the home half even more menacing.
He scored on 83 minutes before completing his contribution with a 30-yard thunderbolt a minute later.
Sheffield manager Chris Dolby said afterwards: "I was very pleased up to 65 minutes, we had a good strong side out that I thought created more chances in the first half than they did.
"They had four good experienced players in there with a sprinkling of youth so all in all very pleased."
He said impetus was lost when he made substitutions on the hour, until then any neutral would have been hard pushed to pick out the professional club, he said.
CLICK ON THE GREEN PLAY ICON TO WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTSSheffield:Kearney, Gelsthorpe, Boulter, Ingall, Winters, Outram, Hawes, Powell, Goddard, Wooley. Subs: Roney, Ward, Townsend, Styles, Carey, Cooksey.
Barnsley:Free, Grundy, Mellor, Branson, Atkinson, Johnson, Taylor, Togwell, Warburton, Adam, Helsop. Subs: Bennett, Crapper, McGrory, Scargill, Fearncough.
What do you think? Post your comments below. READ MORE Football headlinesMore BladesMore OwlsMore SpireitesMore RoversMore RedsMore MillersMore Ice HockeyMore rugby leagueMore rugby unionMore boxingSports columnistsAll sport categoriesThe full article contains 473 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
