Latics earn deserved point at Wigan

CLOSE . . . Carl Winchester

WIGAN 0, ATHLETIC 0

Check out the longer match report with pictures.

JOHN Sheridan's side earned a useful point in the battle against relegation.

And it could have been even better against their promotion-chasing hosts, with Carl Winchester and Matt Palmer both going close to scoring.

Athletic started brightly on the newly laid turf at the DW Stadium and almost netted after three minutes when a cross was deflected a foot wide by a Wigan defender.

Winchester produced a superb strike from 25 yards that was heading in but for an equally special fingertip save by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

And with Sheridan's side passing well and looking a threat, Liam Kelly forced another save shortly before the interval.

The second half was a tame affair but though the visitors didn't threaten, it wasn't until the 71st minute that Wigan had their first real effort on target, as Joel Coleman easily saved from Yanic Wildschut.

Palmer's drive from outside the box fizzed narrowly wide and Athletic were more than worth a share of the spoils, with Coleman saving well from Will Grigg in the closing stages.