Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic failed in their bid to go top of Division Two after an injury time equaliser from Walsall's leading scorer Jorge Leitao cancelled out a first half strike from Lee Ashcroft.

Wigan had dominated the majority of the play but couldn't add to Ashcroft's goal and were cruely made to pay.

Wigan were denied all three points in the cruelist of fashions thanks to a goal two minutes into injury time from Walsall's Portuguese striker Jorge Leitao.

Latics had dominated the vast majority of the game and had looked good for the victory after Lee Ashcroft had given them the lead on 34 minutes after a clinical move from their own half but it wasn't to be and the result gave promotion rivals Millwall even more breathing space as the race for Division One heats up.

Latics' highest crowd of the season so far witnessed a much improved performance than that of recents weeks and you could rightly sympathise with them for feeling hard done by.

Wigan manager Bruce Rioch made four changes from the side that lost to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium last weekend.

There were returns to the starting line up for McLaughlin, Green, Bradshaw and Martinez and losing out were Balmer and former Walsall left back Padula who scored against his old side only four days previously. Nicholls and Roberts were relegated to the bench.

Latics started the game with all guns blazing and were unfortunate not to take the lead as early as the third minute.

Andy Liddell had put Lee Ashcroft through on goal but his effort was thwarted by the outstretched leg of Walsall keeper James Walker, the ball deflected out for a corner.

Soon after that Liddell himself went close when his header from a Darren Sheridan cross was also put behind for a corner, Walker this time getting a hand to the ball.

Walsall's leading scorer Leitao almost gave the visitors the lead against the run of play he got his head to a corner at the near post but his effort went narrowily wide of the post.

Wigan deservedly took the lead a minute later following a move that started from a clearance from another Walsall corner.

The ball was headed clear of the Wigan goalmouth and was received by Lee Ashcroft just outside of the penalty area.

Ashcroft then played the ball to Andy Liddell down the left flank who charged down the line and from midway into the Walsall half played a sweet long ball to Darren Sheridan on the opposite wing.

Sheridan got from behind the Walsall defence and his cross to the far post was met by LEE ASHCROFT who had initiated the move and he made no mistake in smashing the ball into the back of the net from a few yards out for his fifth goal of the season.

Roberto Martinez went close to doubling the lead just before the interval with a thunderous volley from outside the area but Walker was equal to it and dove to is left to collect well,

HALF TIME: Wigan 1 Walsall 0

Wigan continued to control the game in the second half but clear cut chances were few and far between as the home side couldn't turn their attacks into goals.

Jorge Leitao nearly levelled the game on the hour mark but his shot on the turn inside the area brought out a fine save from Derek Stillie and Pat McGibbon was on hand to tidy up.

Andy Liddell nearly killed off the game with a little over 5 minutes of normal time remaining but Walker did well to save his low drive from a free kick.

Then just as Wigan thought they were home and dry and into the second of the four minutes added on for stoppages disaster struck.

Walsall forced a corner over on the right following a rare attack on the Wigan goal. Dean Keates swung the resulting kick to the near post and JORGE LEITAO rose above Pat McGibbon to head into the back of the net.

A disappointing result for Wigan but they can take great delight in an impressive performance on the whole.

FULL TIME: Wigan 1 Walsall 1