Wigan Athletic 1 Sheffield United 1 - Tuesday 21st October 2003

Latics remain top despite draw

Report by John Patrick Heeley

Latics maintained their position at the top of Division One despite drawing for the fifth time in their last seven games.

Third placed Sheffield United were never going to be an easy team to beat but Wigan got off to the best possible start when Geoff Horsfield finished off a move involving Andy Liddell and Nathan Ellington with only three minutes on the clock.

Paul Jewell had again kept faith with the same starting line up, the only change coming on the bench with Peter Kennedy omitted in favour of Paul Mitchell.

The game started at a frantic pace and Wigan immediately threatened the Sheffield rearguard but were hauled back when Horsfield was caught offside as he bore down on goal.

Moments later Horsfield was in the thick of things again as Latics continued to press forward but the big frontman was denied by his former Fulham team mate Paul Peschisolido who was awarded a free kick as a result of the challenge.

A brilliantly worked move saw Ellington set Liddell free down the right side of the area and the Wigan number 7 pulled the ball across the back of the area to find GEOFF HORSFIELD sneaking in to fire a low shot beyond Paul Gerrard in the Sheffield goal.

Peschisolido narrowily failed to connect with a ball from Zimbabwe international Peter Ndlovu in the 10th minute, the Canadian sliding in at the far post but missing the low ball by inches.

Michael Brown fired straight at John Filan with 20 minutes on the clock and at the other end Liddell did likewise shortly after with keeper Gerrard, currently on loan from Everton, comfortably saving.

Ian Breckin needed attention after taking a knock to the head and while he was being given a quick once over by the dugout the visitors raced upfield and had it not been for the intervention of Lee McCulloch they may have grabbed an equaliser when Ndlovu shot on goal.

Steve McMillan was having an inspirational game on the left side of defence and was Wigan's saviour in the 38th minute when he nipped in to cut out a dangerous looking Ndlovu ball.

Wigan almost extended their lead within 8 minutes of the restart when Liddell sent over a ball from the right for Horsfield who hit a great shot on the volley but his effort landed narrowily the wrong side of the upright.

The Blades continually dangerous going forward, especially Ndlovu who was having an outstanding game whether that be on the wing or up front after Chris Armstrong was introduced to the action in place of Paul Peschisolido after the hour mark.

However for all their advances the South Yorkshire side couldn't find a way past a Wigan back four that had conceded only 10 goals in their previous 16 games.

Ellington teed up Jimmy Bullard with 15 minutes remaining but Gerrard easily collected the former Peterborough midfielder's first time effort from just outside the area.

Legs were evidentally tiring as the game wore on and both Ellington and Bullard were withdrawn shortly after the pair had combined to threaten the Sheffield goal. Neil Roberts and Paul Mitchell brought on as replacements.

Blades substitute JACK LESTER, a 77th minute replacement for Stuart McCall, was yellow carded in the 83rd minute for a late challenge on John Filan but the former Nottingham Forest striker redeemed himself minutes later when he fired home the equaliser, rattling home an angled drive after cutting in from the left.

United finished the game the stronger but Wigan's solid defense held firm until the final whistle.

The visitors, on reflection, deserved something out of the game and in my opinion are the best we've seen so far this season but if Wigan can continue grinding out results then they shouldn't do too badly.

Results elsewhere meant that Wigan extended their lead at the top to two points, a position that is still hard to take in but will do very nicely thank you very much.