Will Grigg on target from the penalty spot

Wigan Athletic were denied three points by Hillal Soudani’s 91st minute equaliser for Nottingham Forest in a game the hosts had dominated.

Lewis Grabban’s spot-kick was initially saved by Christian Walton but Soudani followed up to give Forest a somewhat undeserved point.

Latics had taken the game to Forest right from the opening seconds and went in front through Nick Powell’s close range header from a corner after only two minutes.

The home team were creating plenty of early chances, but in a rare Forest attack Samy Morsy lost possession in midfield and they drew level when Matty Cash produced a clinical finish past Christian Walton from the edge of the area.

Latics maintained the momentum however and Will Grigg, Michael Jacobs and Powell all went close before Grigg’s penalty restored the lead on the half hour mark.

Grigg was brought down in the area by Ben Osborn before he stepped up to fire the spot-kick past former Manchester City keeper Costel Pantilimon.

It was no more than Latics deserved for a dominant first half display. They should’ve increased their lead before the interval when Morsy’s drive beat Pantilimon but crashed against the foot of the post and Powell’s first time effort from the rebound was narrowly wide.

The second half was more even with Forest working hard to get back in the game but Latics still had plenty of opportunities to increase the lead.

Full back Antonee Robinson had an effort deflected narrowly wide and Chey Dunkley had a header well saved by Pantilimon.

With the clock running down James Vaughan committed a foul in the Forest half and Morsy became unnecessarily embroiled in an incident with former Latic Ben Watson.

Moments later Cash broke free in the box and Morsy kicked out at the Forest midfielder who went down theatrically and Referee Geoff Eltringham hestitated before deciding to award a spot-kick.

Walton saved Grabban’s spot-kick but Soudani followed up to save Forest’s blushes. 

Paul Cook’s men will be disappointed not to have secured the victory. A couple of rare mistakes by Samy Morsy had cost them the three points against one of the Championship promotion favourites who’ve just spent around £25m in the transfer window. 

Latics had once again produced some great attacking play with Powell outstanding and full backs Robinson and James posing a threat down the flanks.

If they can maintain this level of performance and iron out a few of the defensive rough edges they will surely prosper in the Championship this season.