• Wigan Athletic and Barnsley played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics dominated the first half and went ahead after only six minutes when Callum Wright’s cross was superbly volleyed home by Dara Costelloe at the near post.
• The Tykes had a big chance to draw level when David McGoldrick broke clear but was denied by the left leg of Sam Tickle.
• Latics had a triple chance to increase their lead but Barnsley goalkeeper Murphy Cooper pulled off a superb double save from Fraser Murray and then Costelloe, before Harrison Bettoni saw a shot deflected off the line.
• The visitors were much improved in the second half and they equalised on 69 minutes when McGoldrick’s cross was smashed home by Adam Phillips.
• Substitute Christian Saydee nearly regained Latics the lead but Cooper produced an outstanding save to deny him.
• The Tykes went down to 10 men with six minutes remaining when captain Luca Connell saw red for kicking Will Aimson in the chest during an off the ball incident.
• Substitute Asamoah Jnr had a late chance to get all three points but he headed over from a great position.
• Latics are now in 14th place and Barnsley in 16th place in the League One table.

Ryan Lowe made two changes from Monday’s victory at Burton Albion with Jensen Weir replacing Tobias Brenan, while Fraser Murray came back in for Joe Hungbo.

Latics started on the front foot. Straight from kick off, they went on the attack, with Murray almost finding the run of Bettoni at the far post. 

Latics were quickly in front as Costelloe produced a superb finish on six minutes. Murray found Wright on the left who crossed for Costelloe, who fired a superb volley into the roof of the net.

Latics dominated possession and looked likely to get a second goal.

But on the break Barnsley had a great opportunity to equalise.

McGoldrick timed his run to perfection and slipped the Latics defence to go clear but fortunately Tickle was off his line quickly to make an important save with his leg.

Latics almost made it two before the break when they created three good chances but Barnsley goalkeeper Murphy Cooper pulled off a superb double save from Fraser Murray and then Costelloe, before Harrison Bettoni saw a shot deflected off the line.

Barnsley boss Hourihane made a double change at the break, with Reyes Cleary and Jonathan Bland replacing Patrick Kelly and Fabio Jalo. It proved to be a positive change as the visitors were much improved in the second half.

Morgan Fox had to head away with McGoldrick well positioned while Phillips saw his effort well saved by Tickle on the hour mark. 

The Tykes pressure resulted in the equaliser on 69 minutes as Phillips smashed his strike into the net after a swift counter attack.

Substitute Saydee replaced Bettoni and he nearly put Latics back in front with eight minutes left. The former Portsmouth striker forced Cooper into an outstanding save at full stretch. 

The Tykes went down to 10 men with six minutes remaining as captain Luca Connell saw red for kicking Will Aimson in the chest during an off the ball incident.

Latics pressed for a late winner and substitute Asamoah Junior could only head over from a great position and the points had to be shared.

Overview

Latics had produced an impressive first half creating several good chances but they were unable to add to their early goal and this proved critical.

The Tykes were on top at the start of the second half and they deservedly equalised.

Latics did rally late on and substitutes Saydee and Asamoah Junior had good chances to win the game.

In such a tight division taking your goalscoring opportunities will be the difference between mid-table and a play-off position.

Lowe’s men are showing signs of improvement but they are still very much a work in progress.

Recruitment in the January transfer window will be crucial to their hopes of a play-off place. 

It is to be hoped a quality striker, a creative midfielder and another wing-back can be brought in before the end of the window.

Post-match comments 

Afterwards Lowe was particularly pleased with the first half and expressed the importance of taking their clear-cut opportunities. 

“It was a game of two halves,” he told the media.

“We were very good in the first half, and should’ve come in with a minimum two-goal lead.

“We scored probably the hardest chance, and there were some good moments. I thought we were excellent and played some fantastic stuff.

“We knew it was always going to be different in the second half. We knew Barnsley would make changes, and when you’re 1-0 down, it’s easier to find a rhythm. 

“The goal we conceded was poor – we were in possession, turned it over, and we gave a good player a good opportunity to smash it into the roof of the net.

“We had a late rally towards the end, but you always feel vulnerable when the other team goes down to ten. You have to make sure you keep the back doors shut.  

“I am pleased that we got a point and scored again. We had enough chances to win, but it’s another point.

“We needed a little bit more composure. When you have those types of opportunities, you have to put the ball in the back of the net. 

“We need to start converting those chances – we need more composure in front of goal.”

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