AS BARGAINS go Stuart Barlow is up there with the best.

The Wigan goal machine cost the Latics just £45,000 when they signed him from Oldham Athletic on transfer deadline day towards the end of the 1997/98 season.

The former Everton man, who had moved from Goodison Park to Oldham for £450,000 two-and-a-half years earlier, instantly made his mark with a goal on his debut.

Last season, Barlow then scored ? times in the League as Wigan reached the Second Division play-offs.

And this season, the 31-year-old has gone beserk in front of goal as John Benson's men try to go one better and secure automatic promotion.

The first striker in the country to reach the 20-mark, Barlow took his tally in the Second Division to 16 with a goal in Wigan's 2-2 draw at Bury on Tuesday night.

And it's his contribution that has been the major factor behind the Latics' unbeaten 18-game start to the season.

Despite the flow of goals, Barlow recently handed in a transfer request after failing to receive the offer of a three-year extension to his current contract which expires at the end of the season.

However, neither party appears to want to end a productive relationship.

"If I keep scoring goals, the contract will look after itself," Barlow said.

Opta's statistics for the season to date certainly tell the picture of a man in forrm.

Of 20 shots on target, 16 have found the back of the net. Goalkeepers therefore get little chance.

He and strike partner Simon Haworth have shared 31 goals between them, but interestingly Barlow is yet to lay on a goal-scoring pass.

His sights are focussed on one thing only. Burnley beware.

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