Wigan Athletic content with 'gold' point at Barnsley

Latics, who had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men after the sending-off of Danny Fox, had to dig in for long periods against the Tykes.

But a magnificent backs-to-the-wall display from David Marshall and his backline kept Wigan's survival fate in their own hands - even if they are deducted 12 points.

"I think any point in this league is gold at the minute," acknowledged Leam Richardson, facing the media instead of Paul Cook.

"The lads are working tirelessly, and they worked tirelessly again today, and I thought we thoroughly deserved a point.

"We knew it was going to be a tight game, we've got so much respect for Barnsley.

"We knew chances were going to be few and far between, we just had to take one - and unfortunately we couldn't do that."

Latics are now nine points clear of the bottom three with nine points to play for.

And even with the looming threat of a points deduction, their run in - Hull at home, Charlton away and Fulham at home - gives them a great chance of effectively surviving twice.

"We've done so well since the turn of the year, probably the most in-form team in the Championship," recognised the Latics No.2.

"We've just to keep our heads down for another three games and complete the job.

"The manager's saying and doing all the right things, and the lads are giving him everything in return.

"We've got a very good group here.

"There's certain things we can't affect, the manager's very big on controlling the controllables.

"We know there's a lot of heartache knocking round the football club, with people being made redundant.

"All we can do is continue to work as hard as we can and do what we can on the field to keep this club in the division.

"It helps we've got a good dressing room here, the lads have got everybody's back and they cover each blade of grass for each other.

"We'll just keep taking steps forward and see where it gets us."