Wigan Athletic 0 Fulham 0

Caleb Folan is stretchered off

The ex-Chesterfield forward, snapped up for a bargain £500,000 and already a big crowd favourite at the JJB stadium, landed awkwardly and damaged his right ankle.

It was a big blow for the Latics and the 24-year-old, who last week was celebrating his first ever call-up to Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland squad for the European qualifiers.

Wigan were already missing Leighton Baines, Lee McCulloch and Fitz Hall through suspension, with Emmerson Boyce on the casualty list.

Skipper Arjan de Zeeuw was back after a two-month absence to replace Boyce, Kevin Kilbane stepped in for McCulloch and David Unsworth got the nod at left-back. Paul Scharner was also back after missing the last three months.

Fulham - still missing ex-Wigan crowd pleaser Jimmy Bullard - had one time Latics target Papa Bouba Diop in the starting lin-up, but defender Philippe Christanval again missed out with a hamstring injury.

Wigan - looking to complete the double over the visitors - bossed the action in a disappointing first half but they failed to cash in on their chances.

Folan receives treatment

Unsworth fired across the face of goal and Folan arrived a fraction too late; then Emile Heskey directed a header straight at Antti Niemi, before midfielder Denny Landzaat - goal of the month winner for his strike at Arsenal - hammered wide from 12 yards.

The luckless Folan's afternoon ended when he was injured after challenging Carlos Bocanegra in the air.

Early in then second half brave keeping by Niemi snuffed out a chance for Heskey and he then saved at point blank from Henri Camara.

But the Senegal striker, inside the six-yard box, should have done better after he was set up by Luis Antonio Valencia.

Wigan keeper John Filan had not been troubled and the Latics piled on the pressure with Kilbane twice having headers deflected off target, but Fulham hung on to earn a vital point.