Early Christmas present for Wigan Athletic starlet

The 22-year-old was thrown on by acting manager Leam Richardson with four minutes to go at Highbury Stadium, with Latics 1-0 down and facing defeat.

But just four minutes after entering the fray, Crankshaw was in the right place at the right time to head home, after Fleetwood goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler parried out a Will Keane volley, to rescue a well-deserved point.

"It feels great to come on and get that point for the team, it's a really proud moment for me," he said.

"Leam said to go on and make an impact on the game, maybe try and get a goal.

"The keeper did well to save Keano's effort, I was almost ready to run off celebrating with him.

"But luckily I was still alert and got in to head it.

"As a sub you want to help the team, effect the game, and I'm glad I did that.

"It's a good point for the team because everyone was working hard and running hard for the whole game.

"We were really good in the second half and you could sense that the goal was coming.

"It's a cracking early Christmas present, and hopefully another one to come on Boxing Day."

Crankshaw is making the most of his second chance at making the grade, having dropped down to non-league after being released by hometown club Preston North End.

"It's been a long time coming for me, it feels like I've been trying for years," he acknowledged.

"I was let go by Preston when I was younger, and worked my way up from the non-league with Curzon Ashton.

"I'm very grateful to Leam and especially Gregor (Rioch, Academy chief).

"They've helped me develop and they gave me the opportunity to come to the club from non-league football."

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