Wigan Athletic chief says players 'need to take a lot of credit' after edging past Barrow
Wigan Athletic head coach Ryan Lowe insisted his players 'need to take a lot of credit' after they booked their place in round three of the FA Cup thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over League Two strugglers Barrow.
After James Carragher put Latics ahead with a 13th-minute header, Barrow dominated the second period and deservedly led thanks to goals from Jack Earing and Niall Canavan.
Will Aimson saved Latics' blushes with a last-minute equaliser, although the home side still needed a superb save from Sam Tickle to prevent his former team-mate Scott Smith winning it for Barrow in added time.
Extra-time failed to produce a winning goal and, while Latics were perfect from the spot, Ben Jackson was denied by Tickle before MJ Williams lashed his effort against the bar, to leave the home side 4-3 victors.
"That's what the FA Cup is all about, isn't it...entertainment and value for money!" smiled Lowe.
"Look, I could go on for a long time about the game, but what I will say is Barrow deserve massive respect for the way they played.
"They haven't just come here to compete, they've come here to get through to the third round of the FA Cup.
"They’re a good team with a good manager, who knows what he’s doing.
"It's never going to be easy, we know that. We had some periods of very good play, some very good moments, but again we just lacked that little bit of quality in certain areas.
"I'm just pleased to get through to the next round, and I think the lads need to take a lot of credit for that.
"Even though the quality is not there all of the time, they're putting their bodies on the line for the club, and we managed to get the win."
Barrow boss Andy Whing could not hide his disappointment at the manner of their defeat.
"It was so cruel," said Whing. "They are a really top team, very well coached, and we probably lacked a little bit of belief to start with. Then we got a foothold in the game and we were fantastic."
After only getting past non-league Hemel Hempstead on penalties in the first round, Latics were given the perfect start when Carragher – back in the side and handed the armband in Jason Kerr’s absence – nodded home from close range.
But the visitors deservedly equalised midway through the second half when Ben Whitfield's cross from the right was stabbed in by Earing.
Only a great save from point-blank range by Tickle prevented Charlie Raglan putting Barrow ahead, but even he couldn’t stop Canavan converting Charlie McCann's corner with five minutes to go to leave Latics on the brink.
That wasn't the end of the drama, though, as Aimson headed home a Callum McManaman cross in the last minute, before Smith – who joined Barrow last summer from his hometown club – was denied by Tickle, who had to react in mid-air after the shot took a huge deflection.
McCann came close to putting Barrow ahead in extra-time, only to see a rasping drive from distance fly past the post.
Latics were perfect in the shoot-out thanks to McManaman, Murray, Aimson and Christian Saydee, with Tickle and the crossbar ensuring Barrow exited the competition.