Jewell: We're still in control

Latics had to settle for a share of the spoils from the derby clash with Blackpool, despite Andy Liddell giving them the lead with only 49 seconds played.

They squandered a host of chances and then saw substitute Scott Taylor hit a stunning equaliser five minutes from time.

But manager Jewell refused to be despondent with the result and took heart from their nine-point lead at the top of the table.

"If you were to ask Dario Gradi at Crewe how many points he would rather have or where in the table he would rather be, he would answer top of the league and nine points clear," said Jewell.

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Jewell: In control

This is another game gone, we've still got a healthy lead and we're in a great position."

Liddell's early strike was the quickest goal scored at the JJB and put Latics on the front foot for the rest of the first half.

The visitors came more into the game during the second half and fired a couple of warning shots across the bow before Taylor's leveller.

Jewell said: "I thought we were the better team throughout and had some good chances out there.

"I can't fault the players for commitment and even in the second half, we had better chances then Blackpool.

"Saying that, we were fortunate to win at their place earlier in the season so perhaps things have evened themselves out.

"We should have won the game and you could see from the reaction of the crowd at the end that they knew the players had given everything.

"The first half was as good as we have played for a long time and we just needed a second goal.

"Of course we're disappointed not to have won, but I'm not going to slate my players. They don't miss chances on purpose and it took a wonder strike at the other end to get Blackpool level."

Winger Gary Teale echoed the thoughts of his manager, and he already has his sights set on the visit to Crewe this Saturday.

He said: "Obviously we are disappointed because we should have had three more points, but we're still creating chances. It's harsh for people to say we've come off the rails, after all we've got a point and the other results went our way apart from Crewe.

"We play them on Saturday and we know we have the ability to go there and win."

Blackpool boss Steve McMahon said: "Wigan are strong and fit and showed why they are top of the table.

"But we competed with them in the second half and deserved what we got – this was a massive point for us."

The clash was watched by 10,546, the best home league gate for this season – comfortably beating the 8,047 who saw Cardiff's visit in October.

Article from the Wigan Evening Post.