• Wigan Athletic and Stockport County drew 1-1 in a closely contested encounter at the Brick Community Stadium.
• County started the game strongly but they were lucky to go ahead on four minutes when Jayden Fevrier’s shot took a big deflection off Morgan Fox and evaded Sam Tickle.
• County were in the ascendancy but Latics held firm and they gradually started to assert themselves as the half progressed.
• Manager Ryan Lowe made a change at half-time with Matt Smith replacing Tyrese Francois and it was Smith who was to dominate the second half for the hosts.
• Smith pulled the strings in midfield as Latics created numerous chances.
• Morgan Fox hit the crossbar with a free-kick and Will Aimson, Fraser Murray, Callum Wright and Joe Hungbo all had good opportunities to draw Latics level before Christian Saydee equalised from close range from Fox’s cross on 78 minutes.
• The hosts pressed hard for a late winner with substitute Paul Mullin firing wide from a good position but the visitors survived and the points had to be shared.
• Latics are now in 13th place and County are eighth in the League One table.

Ryan Lowe selected the same starting XI that had drawn at Rotherham United last Saturday.

The visitors started strongly and they somewhat fortunately went ahead on four minutes when Fevrier’s shot was deflected off Fox and past Tickle.

Costelloe and Wright had early half chances to respond but County were the team in the ascendancy.

Hungbo produced some decent crosses into the box but Latics were unable to capitalise.

Saydee fired an effort high and wide but County continued to force Latics back into defence.

Lowe made a change at half-time with Matt Smith replacing Francois and the Tics started the half on the front foot with Smith pulling the strings in midfield.

The hosts went close to equalising when good interplay between Murray and Saydee allowed Will Aimson to burst into the box but the centre back lacked composure and he blazed his shot wide of the target.

Lowe’s men continued to press forward and former Latic Callum Connolly gave away a free-kick on the edge of the box. From the resulting dead-ball Fox produced a superb dipping free-kick which rattled the crossbar.

Smith continued to prompt and push Latics forward and the hosts deservedly drew level on 78 minutes.

The excellent Fox dribbled into space on the left flank before swinging an inviting cross into the box where Saydee rammed it home for his second goal of the season.

Substitute Mullin almost put Tics in front one minute later, sliding into the final third to meet Murray’s cross, but the ball went wide of the target.

In the final minutes Hungbo met a Saydee cross on the volley, only for Brad Hills to clear the ball off his own goalline.

Despite further Latics pressure they just couldn’t capitalise on their second half dominance and the points had to be shared.

Latics will now face Salford City in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday night before travelling to Lincoln City on Saturday in a League One fixture.

Overview

Latics produced a good performance against last season’s Play-Off Semi Finalists.

County had been quick out of the blocks but they had been a little lucky with their goal from a big deflection.

Latics showed they can compete against the top teams this season and when Matt Smith joined proceedings in the second half they took control of the game and deservedly equalised.

Smith was absent for most of last season and it was great to see him back and energised. He seemed more inclined to play forward than under Shaun Maloney’s reign and much more combative on this showing. Promising signs for the rest of the season.

Morgan Fox should also be congratulated on an excellent defensive display but he also went close with a free-kick and provided the assist for Saydee’s equaliser.

Latics created numerous chances and with a bit more composure in front of goal they could’ve gone on to win the game.

I expect County to be amongst the front runners in League One this season so this was a creditable result by Latics nevertheless.

With the transfer deadline imminent it will be interesting to see if Lowe can further enhance the team and add more quality to what has been an already improved squad.

A replacement for the injured on-loan defender Isaac Mabaya who has returned to Liverpool would be beneficial but I’m sure the manager will also be pursuing several other options as well.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards Lowe thought his side performed excellently in the second half and could have clinched all three points on another day. 

“I thought we should’ve won,” he told the media.

“We gave a silly goal away in the first half, which isn’t like us. The goals we’ve conceded this season are ricochets, bad passes or deflections – it comes from a throw, and the next thing, they are on the attack.

“It took us a while to get into the game. We were moving the ball side-to-side, and didn’t play enough forward passes. 

“The fans saw that as well – they want us to punch passes forward. There are loads of things we can look at – but we didn’t do that in the first half.

“We got to grips with it in the second half, and showed them what they needed to do. I thought we had Stockport on the rocks and were pushing to try and win it.

“Stockport have quality players and were trying to hurt us on the counter, but I thought there were two good teams out there. They’re the level – that’s where they’ve been, and we’ve matched them for large parts.

“I’m disappointed that we haven’t won, but I was pleased to have come back for a goal behind.

“We are learning on a daily basis – we haven’t had enough time to coach the players. There’s loads of stuff we want to coach them, but we have to be mindful of the games coming thick and fast. 

“They’ll get a little bit of rest now – but we’ll keep working with them. That’s the level and standard coming up against a team we’re in the Play-Offs last season – going toe-to-toe with them, and should’ve gone on to win it, is a good sign for me.

“The fans know – they see and sense it. When they are getting right behind the team and singing their songs, it’s much needed.

“You don’t realise how much it helps – not just me, I get a buzz out of it, and I know the players get the buzz of it.

“A big thank you again for rallying us through. We’re going to need that if we are going to be successful.”

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