Wigan hold nerve in penalty shootout to see off Barrow

Wigan came through a second penalty shootout in successive FA Cup rounds against lower-division opposition as they defeated League Two strugglers Barrow 4-3 on spot-kicks after a 2-2 draw at the Brick.

The home side took the lead after 13 minutes when Fraser Murray’s corner found its way to James Carragher at the far post and the stand-in skipper nodded home from close range.

Having got through to the break only one goal down, Barrow raised their game in the second period and deservedly levelled after 65 minutes.

Ben Whitfield’s cross from the right was stabbed in at the near post by Jack Earing to the delight of the Barrow fans behind the goal.

The Cumbrians came close to going in front, only for Sam Tickle to pull off a great save to deny Charlie Raglan at point-blank range.

Barrow continued to push, however, and they deservedly took the lead five minutes from time when Charlie McCann’s corner was headed home by Niall Canavan off the bar.

That was not the end of the drama as Will Aimson headed home a Callum McManaman cross in the last minute before former Wigan man Scott Smith was denied a winning goal in stoppage time by a superb save from Tickle.

McCann came close to putting Barrow ahead in extra-time, only to see a rasping drive from distance fly past a post.

While Wigan were perfect in the shootout, Ben Jackson was denied by Tickle before MJ Williams smashed his effort against the bar to send Wigan through.