Cardiff City 2 Wigan Athletic 2

Kieffer Moore twice put Wigan Athletic in front but play-off chasing Cardiff City were able to hit back for a share of the spoils.
Kieffer MooreKieffer Moore
Kieffer Moore

The Wales international striker had been the subject of two rejected bids from Cardiff in last month's transfer window, and he showed them what they are missing with a clever backheel and then a clinical penalty.

But twice the Bluebirds were able to hit back, through Josh Murphy and Marlon Pack, and will feel they were good value for the draw.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In fact, Cardiff could even have nicked it in stoppage-time, only for the referee to disallow a 'goal' from a scramble following a corner for a foul on Latics goalkeeper David Marshall.

Latics have closed to gap to fourth-bottom Stoke to just three points, with 13 matches now remaining.

The match started in whirlwind fashion, with both sides on the scoresheet inside eight minutes.

Latics hit the front when Sam Morsy's cross was flicked home by the heel of Moore with only four minutes gone.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But before the visitors could settle into their lead, they were legged back when Murphy fired past an exposed Marshall, returning to his former club.

Cardiff then took semi-charge, with Lee Tomlin testing Marshall with a free-kick that the goalkeeper pouched at the second attempt.

Then Will Vaulks sent over another free-kick that Marshall did well to save, as well as the follow-up from Albert Adomah.

But credit Latics for hanging in there, and they regained the lead in stoppage-time at the end of the first half.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The home fans were incensed when referee Mr Brooks awarded a handball inside the penalty area.

But Moore wasn't hanging around to argue, sending Alex Smithies the wrong way from 12 yards for his - and Wigan's - second.

Latics squandered a great chance to make it 3-1 seven minutes after the restart when Moore headed Morsy's cross into the path of Jamal Lowe, who shot into the ground, with the ball looping into the arms of Smithies.

And Latics were made to pay for their profligacy as Cardiff found a second equaliser, with Marlon Pack's shot taking a massive deflection of both Leon Balogun and Kal Naismith to completely deceive Marshall.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Latics made a double change with 25 minutes to go, withdrawing Lee Evans and Gavin Massey and sending on Joe Gelhardt and Anthony Pilkington who, like Marshall, received a warm ovation from the fans of his former club.

And the new boys were immediately involved in the play, with Gelhardt feeding Pilkington who teed up Naismith, but Smithies pulled off a fine save at the near post.

Cardiff then had a massive shout for handball against Cedric Kipre waved away, with Latics sending on Michael Jacobs for the last four minutes in place of Lowe.

And with the last play of the game, Cardiff thought they'd won it, only for the officials to decide Marshall was fouled as the ball was struck goalwards.