Cole moves tally to 14 goals

LONDON, England (CMC):

Devante Cole bagged his 14th goal of the League One campaign but Barnsley conceded late at home to settle for a 1-1 draw with Wigan on New Year’s Day.

The 28-year-old, called up to Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz last November, was on target in first-half stoppage to give Barnsley the lead, but substitute Jonny Smith found the leveller with time ticking away at the end.

Barnsley are sixth on 43 points but just eight points off leaders Portsmouth, and have been unbeaten in their last six outings.

Cole, the son of Manchester United legend Andy Cole, opened the scoring in the dying moments of the first half at Oakwell Stadium when he completed a tap-in from close range, courtesy of Adam Phillips’ pass.

The goal was Cole’s second in four days following his strike in last Friday’s 2-2 draw away to Peterborough.

Any hopes Barnsley harboured through of taking full points were crushed in the 87th, however, when Smith rifled in a firm blast from the edge of the box.

At Kingfield Stadium in the country’s south-east, Antigua and Barbuda international Rhys Browne netted his fourth goal of the season and in his last five outings, but Woking slumped to a 3-2 defeat to Aldershot Town, to remain winless in eight games.

His 30th-minute strike was critical, cancelling out Lorent Tolaj’s opener three minutes earlier to leave the contest on even ground.

The 28-year-old was on hand to pounce on a loose ball after Tunji Akinola had his initial shot saved.

However, Tyler Frost struck in the 37th to ensure the visitors a 2-1 half-time lead, and Jack Barham added a third in the 83rd to guarantee breathing space.

Reece Grego-Cox pulled one back for the hosts in the 90th, leading to a nervous last few minutes of the game for the winners, especially after they had Joshua Stokes sent off for a second yellow card.