Report by John Patrick Heeley

Paul Jewell was absent from this friendly tie against Rochdale at the Spotland Stadium, considerably improved from the last time the two sides met there.

The Wigan manager chose to leave his assistant Chris Hutchings to deal with team matters and the number two was fairly pleased with the performance on the night.

The backbone of the side was missing from the starting line up with John Filan, Jason De Vos, Tony Dinning and Jimmy Bullard, to name just four, watching the game from the bench.

Gary Walsh began the game as Wigan continued to monitor his progress before making a decision as to whether or not to offer the former Manchester United and Bradford City keeper a contract.

Joining him in the starting eleven was 19 year old trialist David Tickle, recently released by Manchester City and the youngster had given a decent account of himself before being substituted to make way for the more experienced Matt Jackson in the centre of the defence after 76 minutes.

Ian Breckin went close in the opening minutes of the game and both sides created half chances throughout the first 45 but it was the home side who probably edged it, poor finishing keeping the scoreline down.

Wigan however took the lead with just over 5 minutes of the first half remaining when MIKE FLYNN seized his opportunity after a mistake by Dale centre half Simon Grand allowed the Welshman to fire a low ball past Matthew Gills in the Rochdale goal.

The lead was however shortlived as Alan Buckley's side equalised from the spot after Chris Lynch was adjudged to have tripped Patrick McCourt in the area with KEVIN TOWNSON stepping up to convert the resulting penalty, sending Gary Walsh the wrong way.

The second half was a different matter with Wigan dominating the play in large parts but it was Rochdale who took the advantage midway through the second period when KEVIN TOWNSON added a second with a perfectly placed header from a Michael Simpkins centre.

Lee McCulloch's earlier introduction had noticably improved Latics' game, as had Nicky Eaden's, the side looking more dangerous and more comfortable up front and it came as no surprise when the Scot grabbed the equaliser.

Matt Gilks pulled off a superb save at the expense of a corner to deny McCulloch after the former Motherwell striker had broke clear on goal.

From the corner kick Nicky Eaden laid the ball off for LEE McCULLOCH to blast home from just outside the area to leave Gilks with no chance.

Wigan went agonisingly close to snatching the win when Leighton Baines picked out Ian Breckin in the area and the defender powered his header against the underside of the bar.

At the end of the day a draw was probably a fair result and it was only a friendly after all but Saturday's home game against Premiership side Blackburn Rovers will see Wigan put out a much stronger side as they prepare for the following weekend's opening game of the new season.