REPORT: Rochdale 3 Wigan Athletic 3

Wigan Athletic shipped a 96th-minute equaliser at Spotland as 10-man Rochdale came back from the dead to steal a point they didn't deserve.
Will Keane is mobbed after his late goal which put Latics 3-2 upWill Keane is mobbed after his late goal which put Latics 3-2 up
Will Keane is mobbed after his late goal which put Latics 3-2 up

Rochdale - who won the corresponding fixture 5-0 last month at the DW - were in front inside seven minutes, when Stephen Humphry's free-kick came back off the wall and he rifled home at the second attempt.

But Latics were level within a minute, with Kyle Joseph producing a clever flick to divert Dan Gardner's cross into the net.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The visitors then took over and deservedly went ahead when Callum Lang rolled the last defender and fired into the net with 16 minutes gone.

Latics' cause was further boosted in the dying seconds of the first period, when Rochdale defender Jim McNulty was shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Joseph that was more 'Cobra Kai' than 'Match of the Day'.

However, the home side were given a lifeline 13 minutes after the restart when a long goal-kick forward was allowed to bounce one, and Jake Beesley reached the ball before Owen Evans and nodded into an empty net.

There was further salt rubbed into Wigan wounds as Adam Long injured himself in trying to prevent the ball rolling over the line, and he limped off the field in obvious distress.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But credit the visitors, they kept at it and they went ahead with 13 minutes remaining, with Will Keane swivelling and volleying home from close range.

Latics created and spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to win it, when a three-on-one break failed to end in a shot on goal from Keane.

And they paid a high, high price in the seven added minutes, when Humphrys rose highest to nod home past the despairing effort of Evans.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers ...