Barker lined up against Pools on New Years Day 2007 but two days later he had made the move north as Wilson got his man. He proved to be a key signing, adding strength and know-how to the front line and contributing 9 goals in his 18 starts as Pools bounced back to League One at the first time of asking. The team had an inconsistent season following promotion, but Barker continued to contribute his share of goals and he finished top scorer with sixteen.
In 2008/09 Wilson began the season with James Brown and Joel Porter as his preferred strikers with Barker having to settle for a substitute`s role. At the beginning of October the club brought Kevin Kyle in on loan from Coventry and, perhaps sensing that his opportunities would be even more limited, Barker took the chance to go out on loan himself, and he rejoined his former club Rotherham United on a three month deal.
On New Years Day 2009, almost exactly two years after joining Pools, Barker signed for Rotherham on a permanent deal. In total he scored 27 goals in his 73 games for Pools and finished as top scorer in both seasons that he finished at the club. Sadly for Barker, the move to Rotherham was short-lived. He missed the remainder of the season due to a knee injury that proved serious enough to force his retirement in May 2009.