Latics continue their unbeaten streak and secure their passage into the Emirates FA Cup Third Round

Emirates FA Cup Match Report | Latics 2 Barrow AFC 2
Latics continued their unbeaten streak across all competitions with a victory against the Sky Bet League Two outfit
James Carragher and Will Aimson found the target for Latics, who won the tie via a penalty shootout

LATICS 2

James Carragher 13'

Will Aimson 89'

BARROW AFC 2

Jack Earing 65'

Niall Canavan 85'

(Latics win 4-3 on penalties)

Attendance: 4,623 (1,575 away)

Wigan Athletic are in the hat for Monday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round draw, after securing their passage with a penalty shootout win against Barrow AFC.

Ryan Lowe's men were able to keep their positive momentum flowing at the Brick Community Stadium, extending their unbeaten run to nine games across all competitions with an assured win against the Sky Bet League Two side.

James Carragher marked his first experience captaining the Tics on home soil with a goal, which was cancelled out midway through the second half by Jack Earing. Will Aimson rescued the Tics in the 89th minute following Niall Canavan's header four minutes earlier, before Latics booked their place in the Third Round with a 4-3 penalty shootout triumph.

With the magic of the Emirates FA Cup back in WN5, Latics were determined to continue their journey in a competition that means so much to everyone connected to the Football Club.

The Club has enjoyed their fair share of fairytales in the FA Cup throughout the decades, from claiming many non-league scalps prior to their Football League election in 1978, to actually lifting the famous old trophy in 2013 with a David versus Goliath-esque upset against Manchester City.

Despite often being the underdogs in the FA Cup, the roles were reversed this time around. Barrow travelled to the Brick Community Stadium for the very first time, aiming to stun Latics and make a statement.

For Latics, attitude and application were a huge focus point in the lead-up to the game, as well as ensuring their recent run of good form was not halted. The Tics have grown in both momentum and confidence in the last month, recovering from a difficult patch to kickstart an impressive unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Following their return to action after the November international break, the Tics accrued seven points out of a possible nine with victories over AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion, and a hard-fought draw against former league leaders, Stevenage FC.

Turning their recent draws into three points has coincided with the side's ascent up the Sky Bet League One table to 11th, and Latics named a strong starting side in an attempt to try and reach the Third Round.

The Gaffer made three changes from the midweek win against Burton Albion, with Carragher, Tyrese Francois and Callum Wright replacing Jason Kerr, Jensen Weir and Christian Saydee in the XI. In the absence of Kerr, Kingdom Latics Academy graduate Carragher was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Tics into battle as captain.

Barrow AFC made five changes from their away draw at Newport County last weekend - former Preston North End Tom Barkhuizen made his first start since October, while Wyll Stanway, Josh Gordon, Ben Jackson and Earing also returned.

Lifelong Wigan Athletic supporter, former Season Ticket holder, and Academy graduate Scott Smith made his return to the Brick Community Stadium, starting in a more advanced role for the Bluebirds.

It was Latics who immediately controlled the tempo through the midfield duo of Matt Smith and Francois. M.Smith almost unlocked the Barrow defence inside the opening five minutes, but his ball through to Dara Costelloe was beyond the striker and rolled into Stanway's grateful path.

Having scored the winner against Burton in midweek, Paul Mullin looked to make it two in two, and his strike from the right of the penalty area had Stanway scrambling in the eighth minute.

After starting brightly, Carragher led by example and headed his side's into a 13th-minute lead. Fraser Murray's corner from the left wasn't convincingly cleared by Stanway, and Carragher was in the right place at the right time to power his header home at the far post. It was a special moment for the 22-year-old, who was captaining the Club for the first time on home soil.

Encouraged by their opener, Latics looked to build on their lead. A quickly taken free-kick allowed Wright and Murray to isolate Barkuizen, and the latter's cross was almost tapped home by Costelloe.

A classy Francois turn and cross led to Latics' next opportunity prior to the half-hour mark, but the Australian midfielder's ball into the box was too far ahead of Mullin, who couldn't readjust in time to capitalise.

In the dying embers of the first half, there was still time for one last chance for Lowe's men. Following some good wing play down the right, Murray's low ball found Mullin, who saw his first-time effort fly wide of the post.

Latics started the second half in the same manner that they finished the first, with Mullin having another sight on goal. Picking up the ball in a similar position to his goal at Bolton Wanderers, Mullin wrapped his foot around his curling strike, which was well held by Stanway.

Attacking towards their 1,575 travelling supporters, Barrow began to turn the screw as the second 45 progressed. A cross from the right looked destined to be met by Gordon, but Carragher did enough to flick it wide.

The visitors brought the game back level with 25 minutes left to play. A Ben Whitfield delivery into the box was directed into the bottom corner by Earing.

Latics looked to respond straight away, and it was trademark Callum McManaman. The half-time substitute cut inside from the left and hit one, and his strike took a deflection and nearly dipped over Stanway and into the far corner.

With five minutes remaining, Barrow AFC took the lead after a corner was headed in by captain Niall Canavan. It looked like it was going to be the goal that sent the visitors through, but when there's a Will, there's always a way.

In the 89th minute, McManaman kept the ball alive and lofted a cross to the far post, and Aimson was there to prod his header into the back of the net.

There was nearly another twist in the tale, and Scott Smith almost won it at the death. The Wiganer took aim from the edge of the area, and despite the strike taking a huge deflection, Sam Tickle somehow diverted his body in mid-air to claw it away. It was a vital save and one that took the game into extra time.

In the first period of extra time, Charlie McCann saw a strike whistle through the wind and travel just past the far post, while Harrison Bettoni struck straight at Stanway at the end of a mazy run.

Latics dominated the second half of extra time, creating a plethora of opportunities to regain the lead they once lost. McManaman had two bites of the cherry: a header caught by Stanway and a well-blocked volley, while Saydee was also denied by heroic last-ditch defending after some incredible close control inside the area.

McManaman, Murray, Aimson and Saydee all converted for Latics, while Tickle denied Ben Jackson, and MJ Williams struck the crossbar to send the Tics through.

Latics extended their unbeaten run to nine matches and will now patiently wait until Monday to learn who they will face in the Third Round.

Emirates FA Cup Report | Latics 2 Barrow AFC 2 (4-3 on Penalties)