A remarkable last stanza at the DW last night saw five goals scored including a fine late brace from loan striker Ismael Miller saw a fatigued Wigan drop two points in their chase for the play offs.
A much changed Wigan side following the fine win at Ipswich saw Wigan with Nick Powell to the fore dominate the first half feeding off quality balls from Gomez and Beausejour as Wigan strove for the goals to secure a ninth successive win. So total was Wigan’s domination that the home keeper Al Habsi was virtually a passenger.
Wigan looked to Powell and Maynard to deliver the goals but all too often they seemed to be often different pages, going left when the ball was played right and visa versa. Wigan’s best chance in the first half came from the penalty spot after a theatrical fall from Powell following a challenge by Lanzoni saw Mr D’Urso point to the spot. With many Wigan fans putting their mortgages on Gomez to convert the spot kick, an all too casual shot saw the keeper save the ball to keep the game scoreless.
Wigan continued to press against a very physical Yeovil side with the best chances falling to Maynard and McManaman where as for the away side Miller was their most potent threat.
Wigan have suffered serious injuries over the last few weeks and another injury last night this time to Perch saw the in form defender replaced mid way through the first half to be replaced by long term injury Thomas Rogne. This seemed to create an imbalance in the Wigan back four which Yeovil sought to take advantage of as the game went on.
The half time whistle blew with the majority of Wigan fans content with the first half performance and seemingly expectant that another home win would be a mere formality in the second half.
And so it seemed when ten minutes into the second half relentless Wigan pressure finally paid off when a sublime ball from McManaman found McArthur who mishit his shot but the ball found Powell who took his chance well and Wigan were ahead,
There has been much conjecture as to how long Wigan could keep up the tempo fo two games a week and as the second half went on they seemed to tire visibly, giving fresh impetus to Yeovil and a warning of things to come was when Miller found himself on the end of a fine cross close to the goal as Boyce and Rogne failed to pick him up but he managed to head his chance way wide when it seemed easier to score.
For Wigan, substitute Fortune beat thrce men but his final shot was well saved by Stech
Yeovil continued to push forwards as Wigan defended deeper and poor defending allowed Miller to turn the Wigan defense and fire a fine shot past Al Habsi. Yeovil quickly made it two one to the glovers when Miller again evaded the Wigan defence and fired a fine shot past Al Habsi for a surprising lead.
Wigan under Rosler are known for their strength and character and showed it in spades last night as they push forwards seeking a late equaliser which they secured when McArthur fired the ball home through a packed defence.
What was Wigan’s second goal was just a precursor to a frenetic finish when a fine cross from Beausejour was put into his own net by Webster giving Wigan what their fans thought was the final goal.
Three two could have become four two but a good break by Fortune was spoiled by a poor ball to an unmarked Gomez allowing Yeovil to intercept.
The fourth official put up five minutes on the board and with Wigan growing increasingly anxious, Al Habsi was forced into a fingertip save, the ball going for a corner.
This sparked an influx of Yeovil players into the penalty area including Stech and in the scrap that followed Ayling prodded the ball home for an unlikely equaliser.
Full time saw a weary Wigan troop off the pitch knowing that with some many games to be played in so few weeks and increase in intensity would be needed if they were to return to the promised land of the Premier League
Player Line Up,Ratings and MOM
Al Habsi………6, couldnt be faulted for the goals.
Perch………….6, his substitution unsettled the back line, withdrawn injured
Boyce…………6, looked less comfortable when switched to right back
Ramis…………6.5, a solid performance
Beausejour…..7, a potent attacking performance.
McEachran…..6, steady with a few nice touches, withdrawn.
McArthur………7, superb every game
Gomez……….7, excellent apart from that penalty miss.
McManaman..6, some good attacking flair early on but faded after the break.
Maynard……….5, poor
Powell………….7.5, most creative outlet MOM
Substitutes used
Rogne for Perch……5, looked off the pace.
Fortune for Maynard……6, worked hard.
Tunnicliffe for McEachran…..5, little influence
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