Striker Will Grigg grabbed a late equaliser for Latics.  Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic.

A 91st minute equaliser by substitute Will Grigg saved Wigan’s blushes as they looked to be heading for their first home defeat of the season against Millwall.

Latics had taken the lead through Michael Jacobs in the 54th minute and looked to be in control until a double substitution by the Lions manager Neil Harris put the visitors in the ascendancy. The change enabled the visitors to take a 2-1 lead through substitute Fred Onyedinma’s shot and a Mark Beevers header.

But after Lions Jordan Archer fumbled Tim Chow’s cross, Grigg was on hand to stab the ball home and ensure that the points were shared.

Gary Caldwell’s squad has been hit hard by injuries this season and the manager had to make two changes to the team which drew away at Oldham on Saturday, with Tim Chow and Sean Murray brought in to replace the injured Jason Pearce and the suspended Jordan Flores.

After a tentative opening to the game Latics started to get their passing game going with David Perkins, Michael Jacobs and Reece James all linking up well.

James had a couple of early opportunities but fired over the crossbar on both occasions.

Millwall responded with Mark Beevers heading the ball down to Gregory, whose shot went just wide the far post.

Soon afterwards, the Lions went close again, this time when Gregory’s cross was nodded just wide of the angle of post and crossbar by Aiden O’Brien.

Latics were having the majority of the possession but they were failing to carve out any clear-cut openings and the teams went into the interval level.

Francisco Junior replaced Sean Murray at the interval and the Everton loanee quickly started to assert his presence in the centre of the park.

On 54 minutes Junior won a 50/50 challenge in midfield and fed the ball to Jacobs who drove forwards into the area, before slotting an angled shot past Jordan Archer and into the far corner.

On 64 minutes Millwall made a double substitution with Onyedinma  replacing Ed Upson and Steve Morison replacing Shane Ferguson.

The double substitution gave the visitors impetus and five minutes later the Lions drew level. Some sloppy defending by Latics allowed the ball to run loose in the area and the substitute Onyedinma finished from close range.

The big experienced striker Morison was causing all sorts of problems for the Wigan centre backs and it was no surprise when Millwall went in front from a header by Beevers following a corner.

Once again the Latics defence was all at sea and after a goalmouth scramble both Jacobs and McCann attempted to clear the danger, but the ball only found Beevers, who saw his header hit the crossbar before crossing the line.

Morison nearly sealed the points a few minutes later when his curling effort was superbly tipped around the post by Richard O’Donnell.

As the match moved towards full-time Latics substitute Samni Odelusi had a great chance to equalise but headed straight at Archer.

With six minutes of added time Latics were given a late lifeline and substitute Will Grigg produced an amazing finale. Turning swiftly in the box to stab the ball home from eight yards, much to the relief of the Wigan faithful.