Andy Whing branded Barrow’s FA Cup second-round penalty shootout defeat at Wigan “so cruel” on his team.
The League Two strugglers recovered from the blow of going behind early to James Carragher’s header to lead going into the last minute thanks to goals from Jack Earing and Niall Canavan.
Wigan, mid-table in League One, needed a last-gasp equaliser from Will Aimson to force extra-time and then penalties.
And, while the home side were perfect from the spot, Ben Jackson saw his effort saved by Sam Tickle before MJ Williams struck the bar to hand Wigan a 4-3 shootout victory.
“It was so cruel, because I thought we were outstanding, absolutely brilliant,” said Whing.
“For 15-20 minutes I thought we were a bit passive, we probably respected them a bit too much.
“They are a really top team, very well coached and we probably lacked a little bit of belief to start with.
“Then we got our press right, we got a foothold in the game and then we were fantastic.
“A mistake cost us for the first goal, but the reaction to it was brilliant and I felt we should have gone on and won the game.
“We limited them to very little, but we were just lacking a little bit of quality to go on and win the game, and it’s a terrible way to lose at the end.”
Wigan head coach Ryan Lowe said: “It’s what the FA Cup is all about, isn’t it? Entertainment and value for money.
“Look, I could go on for a long time about the game, but what I will say is Barrow deserve massive respect for the way they played.
“They haven’t just come here to compete, they’ve come here to get through to the third round of the FA Cup.
“It’s never going to be easy, we know that. We had some periods of very good play, some very good moments, but again we just lacked that little bit of quality in certain areas.
“I’m just pleased to get through to the next round and I think the lads need to take a lot of credit for that.
“Even though the quality is not there all of the time, they’re putting their bodies on the line for the club and we managed to get the win.”
