Barnsley were held to a 1-1 draw by Wigan Athletic at Oakwell on New Year’s Day.
Devante Cole’s opener on the stroke of half-time was cancelled out late on by Jonny Smith’s excellent leveller, with a point seeing the Reds climb into the top six having gone unbeaten across the festive period.
We made a positive start to the game, with Nicky Cadden firing in a dangerous low cross before Corey O’Keeffe’s excellent delivery was met by Devante Cole, who forced Sam Tickle into a superb save with a powerful header.
Our wing-backs looked to be the key source of attacking outlet as Cadden threaded a ball through for Cole, but his effort was blocked by the feet of Tickle.
Despite the Reds’ promising offensive play, Wigan still posed a threat – particularly through Martial Godo, who skipped in from the right flank and found Jordan Jones in acres of space, but he could only lash his fierce drive into the Ponty End when it appeared easier to score.
Shortly before half-time, intricate build-up down the left resulted in Cadden’s cross being cleared only as far as Adam Phillips, whose snap shot was diverted towards goal by John McAtee but into the grateful arms of Tickle.
Eventually, when additional time was signalled by the fouth official, Barnsley made the breakthrough as McAtee put in a brave challenge to block a Latics clearance. The ball ricocheted into the path of Phillips, who squared it across the box for Cole to slide in and notch his 14th of the campaign.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Wigan Athletic
The visitors made a bright start to the second half and should have found an equaliser within 10 minutes of the restart when Josh Magennis looked to capitalise on a defensive mishap but somehow contrived to miss with the goal gaping.
Moments later, McAtee latched onto a long ball over the top and, from an acute angle, attempted a delicate lob that landed on the roof of the net with Tickle stranded.
Chances were few and far between for both sides, with Barnsley coming close through a Cadden volley after Herbie Kane’s free-kick was only half-cleared to the edge of the box.
Three minutes before full-time, however, the visitors found an equaliser as substitute Smith worked a short free-kick routine before arrowing an unstoppable strike from 25-yards into the far top corner.
From that point on, it was one way traffic as the Reds managed to hang on for a draw to claim eight points from a possible four games, remaining unbeaten in eight Sky Bet League One outings.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 1-1 Wigan Athletic
REDS XI: Roberts (GK), O’Keeffe, Williams (C), de Gevigney, McCart, Cadden, Phillips (Styles, 58), Kane, Connell, McAtee (Watters, 58), Cole (Jaló, 72).
Not used: Killip (GK), Cotter, Łopata, Cosgrove.
WIGAN XI: Tickle (GK), Morrison (McManaman, 76), Sessegnon (Robinson, 75), Hughes, Clare, Jones, Shaw (Smith, 76), Godo, Lang (Aasgaard, 59), Adeeko, Magennis (C) (Wyke, 59).
Not used: Amos, Smith, Sze.
