'A game of two halves' - Wigan Athletic chief assesses home draw with Barnsley

Latics dominated the first half at the Brick, and deservedly led through Dara Costelloe's goal on six minutes.

It could and should have been more, with Fraser Murray, Costelloe and Harrison Bettoni all being denied by either good goalkeeping or desperate defending.

However, it was a different story after the break, with Adam Phillips levelling the scores on 69 minutes, and the visitors asking almost all of the questions.

Latics were given a boost when Luca Connell was sent off with six minutes left for studding Will Aimson in the stomach.

But substitutes Christian Saydee and Maleace Asamoah Jnr were both unable to make the most of good chances to pinch all three points.

"It was a game of two halves I think, definitely," said Lowe. "We were very good in the first half, and on another day we could have gone in two up, maybe even three.

"That would have made it harder for Barnsley to come back, but we know they're a good team, with good players, and well coached.

"They made two changes at half-time and caused us a few problems in the second half. We then had to change to get a foothold back in the game, and it got a bit hectic.

"Overall I was very pleased with the first half, and pleased with elements of the second half, although I was disappointed with their goal.

"But the lads are giving me everything...if you flip the last two results round, and we draw at Burton and win here, four points from two games, you're pleased with that.

"That probably shows where we are at the moment...we can be a good team, but we've got to be a little bit more savvy in certain areas.

"Even at the end, we have a fantastic chance to win it, with Maleace's header...if he leaves it, Carra (with James Carragher) is behind him waiting to head it in.

"If that goes it, it's 2-1, and everything's great again, isn't it?

"Look, we know what we are, we know where we are, we've got some good players...can we just be a bit more ruthless that will help us pick up more points...?"

On the red card, Lowe added: "There was a collision, and I did see Connell kick Will in the stomach.

"He'll be disappointed with that, because he's not that kind of player, he's a good kid.

"It's the heat of the moment, but you can't stud someone in the midriff and not get a red card."

Lowe also explained the thought process behind his team selection for the visit of Barnsley, with Murray and Jensen Weir replacing Joseph Hungbo and Tobias Brenan, who both dropped to the bench.

"It was a medical decision with Joe," reported Lowe. "He would have liked to have played, but after being out for eight weeks with a hamstring injury, I'd have been shooting myself in the foot.

"Especially with him having cramp at the end (at Burton)...I have a duty of care to my players.

"Tobias was great the other night, but we wanted to freshen it up with Jensen coming back in.

"In hindsight, it's easy to say we should have gone again."