Report by John Patrick Heeley

Latics pegged back by Potters

Wigan Athletic and Stoke City shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 Premier League draw at the DW Stadium, with Stoke twice coming from behind to earn a point.

Peter Crouch's late header cancelled out Franco Di Santo's second-half strike after both sides had earlier converted penalties in a lively encounter.

Latics made the perfect start and were ahead inside five minutes. Referee Martin Atkinson pointed to the spot after Robert Huth handled James McCarthy's effort in the penalty area, and Shaun Maloney confidently sent Asmir Begovic the wrong way to give the Wigan an early advantage.

Roberto Martínez's side continued to enjoy much of the possession and looked the more fluent team during the opening stages.

However, Stoke gradually grew into the contest, helped by the introduction of debutant Charlie Adam following an injury to Andy Wilkinson.

The visitors found an equaliser five minutes before the break when Maynor Figueroa was adjudged to have handled while challenging Crouch.

Jonathan Walters stepped up and fired the resulting penalty past Ali Al Habsi to level the scores at 1-1.

Wigan again started the second half brightly and restored their lead just four minutes after the restart.

Arouna Kone played a key role in the move before Franco Di Santo finished smartly to put the Latics back in front and reward another positive spell from the hosts.

Stoke refused to give in and gradually increased the pressure as the game entered its final quarter.

Their persistence paid off in the 76th minute when Walters flicked the ball across the six-yard box and Crouch rose to head home from close range, bringing the Potters level for a second time.

Both sides pushed for a winner during an open closing period. Stoke came closest, with Charlie Adam forcing an excellent late save from Al Habsi, but neither team could find a decisive third goal as the contest ended all square.