Stockport 1 Wigan 1

Last updated : 18 March 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Jason De Vos gave runaway leaders Wigan another point in their pursuit of First Division football.

But gritty Stockport denied Paul Jewell's side maximum points with a share of the spoils which will aid their battle against relegation.

It looked for long periods as though Wigan, beaten only once in their previous 31 league matches, would win by a landslide margin.

They carved out nine first-half chances to Stockport's two, but couldn't find a route to goal.

The closest they came was when Neil Roberts' effort was cleared off the line by defender Dave Challinor while Leighton Baines' deflected free-kick was brilliantly saved by Swedish keeper Ola Tidman.

It was similarly frustrating for Wigan in the second half until De Vos broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute.

The Canadian central defender managed what the forwards had failed to do as he found the net with a delightful near post flick from Jimmy Bullard's corner.

It was cruel on Tidman who seconds earlier had made a great save to keep out a drive from Tony Dinning which had taken a massive deflection.

Nathan Ellington ought to have doubled Wigan's lead shortly afterwards but he hesitated when clean through on goal as Robert Clare came to Stockport's rescue with a last-gasp tackle.

Stockport's never-say-die spirit was rewarded with a 70th minute equaliser.

Teenager Andy Welsh scored his first senior goal, a close-range header into the roof of the net after Jon Daly flicked a Rickie Lambert cross back across the face of goal.

Wigan had chances late on to seal victory, notably when Nicky Eaden saw a shot clip the crossbar while Tidman pulled off a couple more super saves.

Jewell was left frustrated saying his side ought to have won but added he couldn't have any complaints as his side is unbeaten in its last ten matches.