Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic continued their unbeaten run with a dismal goalless draw against Bournemouth at the JJB Stadium - their fifth successive draw.

Simon Haworth and Pat McGibbon were missing from the squad after coming down with flu the previous day.

Lee McCulloch came off the bench and lined up in attack alongside Andy Liddell with Jason De Vos making his first appearance in a Wigan shirt since breaking his foot at Bloomfield Road in the Worthington Cup, taking his place in the centre of defence alongside Matt Jackson.

Peter Kennedy dropped to the bench making way for Tony Dinning in midfield also containing Ged Brannan, Gary Teale and Paul Cooke, who was making his last appearance on loan from Burnley.

Wigan created the better chances of the opening period but failed to capitalise on them with several clear cut opportunities going begging.

However, the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock fell the way of the visitors just after the quarter of an hour mark.

A punt upfield from Brian Stock was collected by the ever dangerous Warren Feeney inside the area who pushed the ball out to Wade Elliott out on the left of the area.

Elliott curled a fierce shot to the far post but, fortunately for Wigan, saw his effort come crashing back off the top of the post.

Wigan had themselves gone close but again lacked the killer touch that has evaded them all too often this season.

In the opening minues Andy Liddell was set up by Tony Dinning but after doing all the hard work failed to finish the move off.

Canadian international Jason De Vos had a golden opportunity to opening his own account in the 10th minute when he was set up by Steve McMillan on the left hand corner of the penalty area but his low, powerful shot was fired straight at Gareth Stewart who easily collected.

Liddell then was sent clear in the area by Tony Dinning but his attempt to chip the Bournemouth keeper lacked any height or power and landed straight into the Stewart's arms.

Dinning sent an identical ball through to set up Gary Teale but unbelievably he did exactly the same as Liddell had done moments before and chipped his effort straight into the advancing keeper's arms.

Liddell then had another great chance to add to his tally for the season but sent his shot on the turn from the edge of the area inches over the bar.

He then became provider when a clever back heel set up Steve McMillan but the former Motherwell defender sent his shot wide of the mark.

Probably Wigan's best chance of the half was somehow wasted by Andy Liddell who seemed to have left his goalscoring boots at home when he managed to put the ball over the bar from close range after Paul Cook had sent in a free kick from 20 yards out.

The second half saw far less in the way of goalmouth action and whether it was down to the torrential hail storm that came crashing down on the stadium or just a complete lack of desire it open to debate as the game fizzled out.

A De Vos header over the bar from another Paul Cook free kick was probably the closest that Wigan came to settling the tie in the second half and Brian Stock sent a shot over Filan's bar as the game became more and more painful to watch.