Wigan's poor run continues with 1-1 draw against West Brom
Wigan's miserable home record continued on Saturday as the relegation-threatened side were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion at the DW Stadium.
Wigan's miserable home record continued on Saturday as the relegation-threatened side were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion at the DW Stadium.
With only two Premier League fixtures scheduled on Saturday, Roberto Martinez's men could have climbed out of the bottom three if they had managed to record their first home win since August.
However James McArthur's second-half strike for the Latics was cancelled out by Paul Scharner's equaliser for West Brom leaving Wigan winless at home for the 14th match in a row.
Wigan striker Franco Di Santo raised hopes of a brighter afternoon for the Latics after getting a sight of goal within the first minute only to miscontrol his shot following a Gary Caldwell free-kick.
The Argentinian was back in the thick of it soon afterwards after latching onto a pass from Jean Beausejour but once again failed to test West Brom keeper Ben Foster with a miscued shot.
The former Chelsea striker did better moments later however, when his shot from James McCarthy's pull-back produced a good save from Foster, the England international tipping over the bar.
Wigan's pressure continued but Caldwell shot wide weakly and West Brom breathed again.
Ominously for Wigan, the home side's bright start gave way to a good period from the visitors, with Jerome Thomas threatening before shooting well wide.
At the other end Wigan were denied an opener when Emmerson Boyce smacked a thumping header off the bar following a pinpoint cross from Maynor Figueroa.
Wigan were also left cursing their luck just before half-time after squandering another promising attack, Beausejour finding Antolin Alcaraz in space at the far post, who in turn fed Shaun Maloney who was unable to hit the target with the goal gaping.
But Wigan's luck in front of goal changed nine minutes into the second half when McArthur bundled in from close range.
A strong run from Victor Moses created the opening, the attacker bursting into the box and shooting against Billy Jones before bouncing into the path of McArthur who scrambled home the tap-in.
Yet just when the Latics long-suffering fans were daring to dream of a rare home victory, the Baggies' scored with their first genuine effort on goal.
Chris Brunt swung in a corner and Austrian international Scharner timed his run to power home the header against his old club.