Charlie Barker earns much-needed Crawley point in Wigan draw

Charlie Barker equalised just before the break as struggling Crawley rescued a much-needed point in a 1-1 League One draw with Wigan at the Broadfield Stadium.

The Latics were much the better side and deservedly led through Dale Taylor but could not find a way through in the second half, despite providing the greater threat.

Rob Elliot went into the clash declaring that he felt his relegation-threatened Crawley side would be “more than fine” provided they “attack every game and every moment” from now until the end of the season.

Wigan started brightly and Joe Hungbo forced goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott to save one handed in the 13th minute after cutting in dangerously.

Crawley striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy failed to make the most of a sharp chance when a deflected shot from Harry Forster fell to him in front of goal.

Wollacott did well again to block an angled goal-bound shot from Hungbo before striker Taylor – on loan from Nottingham Forest – put Wigan ahead after 39 minutes by heading in a cross by former Crawley man Ronan Darcy.

But the hosts were level two minutes from the break as defender Barker smashed the ball into the roof of the net for his first league goal for the club after Hepburn-Murphy had combined with Kamari Doyle.

Taylor put a header against the post for Wigan shortly after the interval and – at the other end – Harry Forster headed just wide from Barker’s cross.

Wigan pushed hard for a winner in stoppage-time and Taylor put a shot across the face of the goal before forcing the ball home, only to have the effort ruled offside.

Crawley, with only one home league win in the last three months, are now two points from safety.