Barnsley's underwhelming week ends in an unwanted draw

It was inescapable not to think that their ship has probably sailed in their quest to stave off the Championship drop -with the heavy artillery of Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford now on the horizon after this lame, unwanted 0-0 draw.

It was one of those trademark sunny late-season days when fates unravel and a final chance for Barnsley to salvage something meaningful from a trilogy of games against rivals which had hitherto underwhelmed.

The Reds huffed and puffed and had bad luck when Antonee Robinson was fortunate to escape with a caution after a reckless first-half challenge on Kilian Ludewig.

Wigan did go down to ten men on 71 minutes when Danny Fox received his marching orders for catching Elliot Simoes late.

But in the final analysis, blame for failing to claim three points lay at Barnsley's door.

There was energy, but a lack of quality in the final analysis and that is why there are where they are and swimming against the tide in their bid to remain in the Championship.

Desperation aplenty at the end, but no method and conviction.

Gerhard Struber's changes were limited to two with Callum Styles rewarded for some encouraging cameos from the bench by way of just his second league start, with Simoes given the nod ahead of Conor Chaplin, forced to cool his heels again.

The pre-match news of Charlton's home defeat to Reading was a welcome development, but there was the realisation that Barnsley must look after their own affairs if they are keep their competitive fires truly burning at the foot of the Championship.

The late, great Jack Charlton - who lived in these parts for several years - was remembered ahead of kick-off before Barnsley set out about Wigan, a club whose on-pitch form has been as orderly as their off-the-field demise has been tumultous.

Barnsley's desire, work-rate and commitment was far removed from the meek efforts of Yorkshire counterparts Huddersfield on Wigan's previous visit to Yorkshire exactly three weeks earlier.

But for all their spirit, visiting keeper David Marshall was only stretched on a couple of occasions, with the main talking point arriving 38 minutes in.

A poor challenge from Robinson which sent Ludewig spiralling into the air saw referee Webb brandish a yellow card instead of a red, when replays showed that the Latics full-back was especially fortunate not to be dismissed following a wild tackle.

In the defensive realm, Barnsley were handed just two moments of alarm, one of which arrived when a downward header from ex-Reds forward Kieffer Moore was blocked by Jack Walton following a Latics corner.

Their biggest scare arrived moments before the break when Wigan capitalised on Styles' error with Kieran Dowell momentarily in the clear, only for Michael Sollbauer to make a magnificent saving challenge.

At the other end, Barnsley were the most forceful, with Alex Mowatt at the heart of operations and Marcel Ritzmaier operating in a central position.

Marshall had to be alert to make a scampering one-handed save to keep out Jacob Brown's low shot, while Cauley Woodrow - playing down the middle - shot straight at the Scottish keeper after showing neat footwork to provide further encouragement.

In the early salvos, Ludewig should have also done better when afforded space down the right, but his cross-shot picked nobody out.

But for all their effort, Barnsley needed more.

Average in the first half, there was a feeling that Wigan would improve upon the restart, with the onus being on Barnsley to produce more end product to match their energy.

In keeping with a tidy defensive performance, Jordan Williams did well to block Jamal Lowe's goalbound effort as the Reds sought to claim the initiaitve, attacking the deserted Pontefract Road end.

It was Wigan who started to dictate after their quiet first half, with Jack Walton getting a key finger-tip to deny the lurking Moore after an express run and cross on the left from Robinson.

Struber had seen enough and threw on Chaplin on the hour mark with top-scorer Cauley Woodrow making way and looking visibly frustrated when he left the fray.

Barnsley needed something and it almost arrived when Styles hooked the ball over the top after a set-piece was not cleared and Sollbauer was afforded an inviting sight of goal, but his effort agonisingly bobbled wide.

The next action saw Fox receiving his marching orders, but Barnsley continued to lack conviction and flow in the final third for all their perspiration. The quality count was low.

A second important clearance from Jordan Williams thwarted the Latics, but there was no late magic at the other end, but only desperation.

The biggest moment arrived when Styles forged an opportunity with his near-post effort beaten away. But it would not come and the dejected reaction of the players at the end said it all.

Barnsley: Walton; Sollbauer, Andersen, J Williams; Ludewig (Schmidt 82), Mowatt, Ritzmaier (Halme 88), Styles; Simoes; Brown, Woodrow (Chaplin 61). Substitutes unused: Collins, Oduor, B Williams, Thomas, Halme, Bahre, Wolfe.

Wigan Athletic: Marshall; Byrne, Kipre, Fox, Robinson (Pearce 87); J Williams, Morsy, Naismith, Dowell (Gelhardt 74), Lowe (Massey 75); Moore. Substitutes unused: Jones, Evans, MacLeod, Roberts, Mlakar, Dobre.

Referee: D Webb (Co.Durham).

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