Yakubu scored the first a neat one-two with Maccarone. The Italian was next to score heading home after a Yakubu shot rebounded off the woodwork, following a great run from Adam Johnson. Finally Yakubu was on hand to score the third from an Emanuel Pogatetz cross.
Barnsley scored a consolation midway though the second half from Michael McIndoe.
Boro team:
Turnbull, Parnaby (Goulon), Pogatetz, Rockemback, Rigott, Ehiogu (Davies), Boateng, Parlour (Kennedy), Yakubu, Maccarone, Johnson
A Boro Reserve XI also played last night and beat York 1-0 at KitKat (Bootham) Crescent with a goal from James Morrison.
Boro XI:
Knight, Hines (Walker), Taylor (Williams), Cattermole, Wheater (Johnson), Bates, Morrison, Liddle (Grounds), Christie, Craddock, Porritt (Franks)