• Wigan Athletic survived another FA Cup scare when they defeated League Two AFC Barrow after extra time and penalties at the Brick Community Stadium. 
• After struggling against Hemel Hempstead Town in Round One Latics once again toiled against lower league opposition.
• Latics led at half-time through acting captain James Carragher’s header but Barrow were the better team in the second half.
• The visitors equalised on 65 minutes when Ben Whitfield’s cross was poked home by Jack Earing and with five minutes remaining it looked as though they had secured a place in the third round when Charlie McCann’s corner was headed home by Niall Canavan via the bar.
• Will Aimson then came to Latics rescue when he headed home a Callum McManaman cross in the last minute to take the game to extra time.
• In the penalty shootout McManaman, Fraser Murray, Aimson and Christian Saydee all converted for Latics, while Sam Tickle denied Ben Jackson, and MJ Williams struck the crossbar to send Latics through to the third round.

Ryan Lowe made three changes from the midweek victory against Burton Albion, with Carragher, Tyrese Francois and Callum Wright replacing Kerr, Jensen Weir and Saydee in the starting XI. Carragher took the captain’s armband in the absence of Kerr.

Latics controlled the game in the early stages and after eight minutes Paul Mullin’s strike had Stanway scrambling across his goal.

The hosts deservingly went ahead in the 13th minute when captain Carragher was in the right place at the right time. Murray’s corner from the left wasn’t convincingly cleared by Stanway, and Carragher headed home at the far post.

Latics went close again soon afterwards when a quickly taken free-kick allowed Wright and Murray and the latter’s cross was almost tapped home by Costelloe.

On the half hour Francois’ turn and cross into the box was just too far ahead of Mullin for the striker to capitalise.

Just before half-time Latics had another chance. Following some good play down the right, Murray’s low ball found Mullin, who saw his first-time effort fly wide of the post.

Latics had in early chance in the second half with Mullin having another sighter on goal. Picking up the ball on the edge of the box his curling strike was well saved by Stanway. 

Barrow upped their game as the half progressed. A cross from the right looked destined for Gordon, but Carragher did just enough to avert the danger.

The visitors deservedly brought the game back level on 65 minutes. Whitfield’s cross into the box was poked into the bottom corner by Earing. 

Latics tried to respond straight away, and substitute McManaman cut inside from the left and his strike took a big deflection and nearly dipped over Stanway and into the far corner.

It looked like the visitors had caused a big upset with five minutes remaining, they took the lead after a corner was headed in by Canavan. 

But Latics were not to be undone and in the 89th minute, McManaman lifted a cross to the far post, and Aimson was there to head home and keep the Tics Cup hopes alive.

There was time for another twist in the game when former Latic Scott Smith nearly won it at the death. The Wiganer took aim from the edge of the area, and despite the strike taking a big deflection, Tickle somehow managed to claw it away. It kept Latics in the game and into extra time.

In the first period of extra time, Charlie McCann saw a strike narrowly miss Tickle’s post and at the other end substitute Harrison Bettoni fired straight at Stanway after a mazy run.

Latics dominated possession in the second half of extra time.

McManaman had a header caught by Stanway and a well-blocked volley, while Saydee was also denied by a last-ditch defending after good skill inside the area.

The game finished all level and the lottery of penalties commenced.

McManaman, Murray, Aimson and Saydee all confidently converted for Latics, while Tickle denied Ben Jackson, and MJ Williams struck the crossbar to send the relieved hosts through.

Overview

Latics had once again struggled against lower league opposition. Recent performances have been far from convincing and as against Burton Albion on Tuesday night they had been outplayed in the second half.

Credit should go to Barrow for a battling performance. They caused Latics plenty of problems and many other League One teams might have folded under the pressure but the hosts had shown a never-say-die attitude to stay in the game and ultimately go through.

Despite their current failings particularly in the final third they had shown the character and spirit to progress.

They had done it the hard way once again but had made it through and will be hoping for a good draw in the Third Round on Monday.

Post match comments

Afterwards Lowe spoke to the media and was delighted that they are now in the hat for the Third Round of the FA Cup.

“We’re through to the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup, where the big hitters are, and hopefully we can have a day out with our fans,” he said.

“Whether it’s at home or away, the Third Round is the stage everyone wants to get to in our division and League Two. It’s a job well done.

“We have to pay Barrow the respect they deserve – they have a good set of lads who are well experienced and well equipped. 

“It was never going to be easy. We found ourselves 2-1 down, from something we felt we could deal with.

“I’ll give our lads their due – they got themselves back in the game. Both teams in extra time were looking to see it out into penalties because both teams were shattered.

“It was our third game in a week – our lads were on their feet, but that’s what the FA Cup is all about.

“There have been two games now where we’ve gone through on penalties, but I don’t care how we get through, as long as we do get through.

“Hopefully, we can now have a special day out with this Football Club, and our special fans.”