Wigan 1-1 Stoke

Last updated : 13 March 2010 By Dan Buxton

Stoke came from behind to grab a well earned point at Wigan's DW Stadium.

Paul Scharner opened the scoring in the 16th minute and the hosts looked set to nt all three points until Tuncay pulled the scores level on 76 minutes.

City took the early initiative, with Turkish star Tuncay dribbling past two defenders before a last ditch tackle denied him the chance to shoot whilst Wigan weren't without their own opportunities with N'Zogbia's drilled effort being deflected wide of the far post.

The opening goal was just around the corner though and arrived in controversial circumstances. A free kick was harshly awarded when Boyce ran into Etherington, who was facing the other way and amazingly received a booking, and the resulting free kick was nodded into the net by Scharner, who found some space six yards out.

Scharner now had an eye for goal and he tested Sorenson from 20 yards just two minutes later but the Danish keeper was upto the task and held the shot.

Stoke were still well in the game though and Higginbotham had a shot blocked before Huth drilled in a free kick from 20 yards. The ball was heading for the net only to strike City defender Shawcross. The defender picked up the loose ball and had a go himself, but a deflection took the ball behind. The original free kick was given for a hack at Tuncay as the striker ran through on goal and Caldwell received a booking but, just two minutes later, an identical incident saw Marriner, maybe influenced by the fact he would have to send off Caldwell if he blew up, waving play on to leave the Potters even more incensed with the official.

Even though there were no more goals both sides had further opportunities before the break, Tuncay forcing Kirkland into a smart save and Scharner heading a corner wide of the far post with Sorenson rooted to the spot.

Tuncay had had the visitors the best chances in the first half and he started the second period in the same fashion, but should have done better when he knocked a Huth flick on towards goal. The shot failed to properly test Kirkland, with the keeper easily holding the effort.

Substitutions for both sides left the game slightly disjointed for a while and it wasnlt until the 66th minute that their was another effort at goal, and it nearly produced a sensational second for Athletic. A ball into the box saw Hugo Rodallega control the ball, flick it up and send an overhead kick onto the top of the crossbar. Sorenson was at full stretch but did seem to have it covered if it was to dip under neath the bar.

City pushed more and more for an equaliser with Fuller seeing an effort blocked after collecting Sidibe's knock down and then Tuncay missing the ball completely as he looked to put away Etherington's dangerous cross from 8 yards.

City were pinning Wigan back and Etherington and Fuller combined on the right wing before the latter's cross to Sidibe was cut out and cleared but City were finally rewarded for their pressure when the clearance was picked up by Etherington and crossed in by the prospective England star. Tuncay floated in to the middle and nodded past Kirkland before celebrating in front of the Potters faithful.

City weren't satisfied with a point though and, after Fuller took two defenders out of the game nodding Etherington's cross back across goal, Sidibe could only hit the crossbar with his header. He really could have picked his spot there as he had plenty of time.

There was another lull in the play after this but the game burst into life in added time, Beattie smashing a powerful effort straight at Kirkland from 20 yards after an intelligent dummy from Lawrence left the striker unmarked, and Etherington and Morena both going close to a winner at either end.