Late stunner denies Reds win

A superb late free-kick prevented Barnsley starting 2024 with a win as they drew 1-1 at home to Wigan Athletic.

Devante Cole opened the scoring just before half-time but the visitors levelled in the 87th minute.

Wigan’s goal was their only shot on target but they missed big chances earlier in the game. The Reds were not at their best but were comfortable for most of the second half before just falling short of grinding out a win.

The point took the Reds into the top six after Stevenage lost.

Jamie McCart returned from injury and replaced Owen Dodgson while Nicky Cadden replaced Callum Styles at left wing-back. It was announced before kick-off that Dodgson had been recalled by Burnley midway through his season-long loan.

Barnsley started with a lot of possession but could have fallen behind when Martial Godo crossed from the right to Josh Magennis who barely made contact with an attempted header six yards out.

At the other end, Cole’s header from John McAtee’s right-wing cross was tipped over by goalkeeper Sam Tickle. Cole was then played in on the left of the box by Cadden but his shot from a tight angle was saved by Tickle’s legs.

Wigan should have taken the lead on 18 minutes when Godo latched onto a long ball and played in Jordan Jones in yards of space on the left of the box but he blazed over from 12 yards out.

Magennis then again made little contact with cross, this time by Jones, after winning a long ball.

Barnsley finished the half well and John McAtee almost netted when he diverted Adam Phillips’ low shot towards goal but it went straight into the arms of Tickle.

The deadlock was broken in first half injury-time when McAtee blocked a Steven Sessegnon clearance just outside the box and it broke to Phillips whose cross from the right was tapped in from close range by Cole against his former club.

Magennis looked certain to level early in the second half but shot wide of the right post ten yards out after Williams made a mess of a clearance and gifted him the ball.

Very little of note happened for the next half an hour, as Barnsley defended generally well. Wigan had the ball in the net directly from a corner but the referee ruled it out for an apparent foul.

Wigan levelled minutes later when substitute Jonny Smith curled a superb free-kick into the top left corner.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Roberts; Williams, de Gevigney, McCart; O’Keeffe, Phillips (Styles 60), Connell, Kane, Cadden; Cole (Jalo 72), McAtee (Watters 60).

Unused: Killip, Lopata, Cosgrove, Cotter.

Yellow cards: McAtee, Styles, Connell.

Goals: Cole. 45+1

Wigan (4-5-1): Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison (Robinson 78mins), Sessegnon (Smith 78; Jones, Shaw (McManaman 78), Adeeko, Lang (Aasgard 60), Godo; Magennis (Wyke 60).

Unused: Amos, Sze.

Goals: Smith 87.