Wigan on the attack at Oldham

The battle of the two Lancashire Latics ended in stalemate at the SportsDirect.com Stadium.

Wigan took a first half lead through a Max Power wonder strike. But on 74 minutes, after Jordan Flores was sent off for retaliation on Jay Fulton, Oldham drew level through substitute Dominic Poleon.

Despite late Oldham pressure Wigan held on to secure a point which leaves them 9th in the table and two points off the play-off places.

Wigan made one change to the team which defeated Fleetwood Town with Leon Barnett returning from suspension and replacing Jonjoe Kenny who has been recalled by Everton.

In a scrappy opening half hour Oldham had the best opportunity to score. Jay Fulton crossed from the left, Michael Higdon got a head to the ball in a crowded six yard box and Richard O’Donnell superbly tipped the ball onto the post before it was cleared.

Wigan’s first decent effort came just after the half hour mark when Flores fired straight at Oldham keeper David Cornell from the edge of the area.

But on 34 minutes Wigan took the lead in spectacular fashion. Reece James found the unmarked Max Power 30 yards out and the young midfielder fired an unstoppable drive past Cornell and into the Oldham net.

The strike lifted the away team and they could have soon doubled their lead when Michael Jacobs shot from distance forced Cornell into a full length save.

Jacobs then curled a free kick just wide of the same upright before McCann forced an impressive double save from Cornell. The Oldham stopper first blocking the Irishman’s close range effort before grabbing the ball just when it looked as if it would spin over the line.

Wigan went into the interval well on top with the home team somewhat relieved only to be one goal down.

The opening period of the second half saw both teams struggling to take control of possession, but Oldham gradually started to dominate.

Mike Jones fired a 20 yard free-kick just over the crossbar and substitute Poleon shot over as Oldham pressed forward and Wigan retreated further into defence.

The match turned further in Oldham’s favour on 70 minutes as Flores was shown a straight red card. The local boy Flores went from last week’s hero to this week’s villain when he was dismissed for retaliation on Jay Fulton.

Gary Caldwell almost immediately replaced the tiring Jordy Hiwula with Sanmi Odelusi.

Oldham continued to press and it was no surprise when Poleon fired home a loose ball from close range on 73 minutes to equalise.

Poleon could have added another moments later but he shot into the side netting from a good position.

Wigan were hanging on now and retreating further into defensive positions.

The travelling Wigan army of fans were tremendous though and sang their hearts out in the belief that their team could secure something from the game.

Power was replaced by Tim Chow as Wigan looked to hold out. The injured Jason Pearce was then replaced by Andy Kellett as they tried to run down the clock.

As the game moved into injury time Oldham continued to threaten, but on a rare Wigan break away Jacobs got clear, only to be tripped from behind by Connor Brown, much to the relief of the Oldham players.

Oldham’s final chance came when Poleon was allowed too much space in the Wigan area but fortunately the former Leeds United striker blasted his effort high and wide.

Wigan will have been relieved to hold out for a point after going down to ten-man, but Gary Caldwell will also know that there is plenty of room for improvement from his players after a below par second half performance.