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Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw equalised for the visitors with just five minutes left to claim his second goal of the game after the home side had squandered a host of chances.
Earnshaw gave Cardiff a first-half lead before goals from Tony Dinning and Nathan Ellington put Wigan in front and the home side then proceeded to miss chance after chance to put the game beyond Cardiff's reach.
Ellington, Neil Roberts and Gary Teale also shot either wide or had efforts saved by Cardiff keeper Neil Alexander before Earnshaw made them pay for their generosity.
The draw allows Oldham Athletic, who won at Swindon Town today, to move to the top of the Nationwide Division Two table.
Cardiff City are now second, although they have still only lost one League game all season, while Paul Jewell's Latics are just one place and one point below the Bluebirds.
Although QPR and Oldham remain in contention for an automatic promotion spot with over a quarter of the season gone, it would surprise few people if Wigan and Cardiff secured their place in the first division for next season come May 2003.
Player Ratings
Wigan Athletic
John Filan 7
Nicky Eaden 7
Steve McMillan 7
Jason De Vos 7
Matt Jackson 7
Tony Dinning 9
Jason Jarrett 8
Scott Green 5
Lee McCulloch 8
Neil Roberts 9
Nathan Ellington 9
Subs
Gary Teale 6
M-o-M
A toss up between Tony Dinning and Neil Roberts. Can't decide either way! However it was an excellent team display despite theneed for that third goal to kill the game off.
Cardiff City
Neil Alexander 9
Rhys Weston 7
Daniel Gabbidon 5
Spencer Prior 6
Gary Croft 7
Willie Boland 6
Graham Kavanagh 5
Gareth Whalley 8
Leo Fortune West 6
Peter Thorne 7
Robert Earnshaw 9
Subs
Andy Campbell 6
Chris Barker 6
Leyton Maxwell 6
M-o-M
Another toss up, this time between Neil Alexander and Robert Earnshaw. Between them these two carried the other City players and earned the bluebirds a fortunate away point.
Other match reports from today's game.
CardiffCity.com
Manchester Online
The Guardian