BARNSLEY 0
WIGAN ATHLETIC 2 (Koumas 55, Landzaat (P) 79)

THE Reds gave a decent account but Jason Koumas' goal and a bizarre penalty by Denny Landzaat was the difference as Wigan took the spoils in an entertaining pre-season clash at Oakwell.

Reds manager Simon Davey again named his possibly his strongest side available to start the pre-season clash with Wigan Athletic. Trialist Dennis Souza started the game alongside new arrivals Lewin Nyatanga, Rob Kozluk, Andy Johnson, Miguel Mostto, Rohan Ricketts and Dominik Werling. Kayode Odejayi was on the bench.

Wigan also named a very strong looking side led by new arrivals Mario Melchiot, Antonio Valencia and Koumas. Former England star Emile Heskey was also in from the start and latest signing Michael Brown made the bench.

Ricketts was the liveliest player on the park in the opening minutes and had a decent shout for a penalty kick waved away with just seconds on the clock as he ran into Kevin Kilbane in the area and hit the deck. Referee Scott Mathieson waved away his appeals.

The Reds went close a minute later as Istvan Ferenczi planted a header into the stand after Grant McCann had planted over a decent cross.

Despite some bright things from the Reds, it was Wigan who should have taken the lead when Heskey missed an absolute sitter from Koumas' left wing corner on 14 minutes. The ex-England man rose unmarked six yards from goal but missed the ball completely with the goal gaping.

Ferenczi then combined wonderfully well with Mostto to free Ricketts a minute later and the winger brought the very best from Chris Kirkland with a fine drive from just inside the area.

Koumas then tried his luck from distance after popping up on the edge of the area on 25 minutes but his shot struck Johnson and bounced a yard or so wide of the target.

Barnsley went close at the other end on the half hour when Kirkland made a mess of Johnson's cross under pressure from Ferenczi but Mostto could not turn the ball into the net through a crowd of defenders.

Wigan midfielder Landzaat then thought he had grabbed the opener on 34 minutes after he rifled Koumas' knock back goalward but found Nick Colgan in fine form.

Colgan then had his heart in his mouth in stoppage time as Landzaat smashed a shot goalward again and his effort clipped a defender before almost embarrassing the Reds keeper and flying an inch wide.

Nigerian striker Julius Agahowa showed a glimpse of his prodigious talent on 48 minutes as he danged his way past a couple of challenges and into the area before bringing a great low save from Colgan.

Mostto then drove a shot just over the top of Kirkland's bar on 50 minutes after a good break through midfield by Ferenczi.

Wigan grabbed the lead on 55 minutes although the Reds were a little unlucky after Colgan had performed wonders to turn the ball away from Agahowa's feet. It was put back into the danger area by Antonio Valencia and Koumas was on hand to turn the ball into the net from ten yards.

Barnsley responded well with Ferenczi turning provider to knock Ricketts' cross into the path of Brian Howard, who volleyed wide of the target from the edge of the area. Howard then volleyed wide of the mark again on the hour mark after popping up 25 yards from goal.

Wigan should have been further in front on 68 minutes as Agahowa showed a clean pair of heels to race through the middle of the Reds defence but again found Colgan in fine form.

Colgan again showed he was in great shape ahead of the new campaign with another outstanding save on 69 minutes as he had to react quickly to turn Landzaat's shot wide of the post.

Man-of-the-match Colgan was once more called to make a top quality save on 73 minutes as he turned Valencia's thunderbolt of a shot over the bar.

Koumas had a great chance to double his goal tally on 78 minutes as he fired a free kick over the bar although for some reason referee Mathieson awarded a penalty. It was a bizarre decision which was still baffling the 4,426 crowd as Landzaat beat Colgan from the spot.

Trialist Souza was given a rousing reception by the Oakwell faithful as he departed the pitch on 84 minutes after an impressive game at the heart of the Reds back line.

BARNSLEY: Colgan, Nyatanga, Souza (Atkinson 84), Kozluk (Togwell 65), Johnson (Mattis 73), Mostto (Odejayi 60), Howard, McCann (Devaney 73), Ferenczi (Coulson 84), Ricketts, Werling.
Subs: Letheren.

WIGAN ATHLETIC: Kirkland, Melchiot, Kilbane, Scharner (Brown 73), Boyce, Hall (Bramble 45), Valencia, Landzaat, Heskey, Koumas, Agahowa.
Subs: Cotterill, Pollitt, Camara, Montrose, Granquist, Cwyka, Moore.