Wigan strike late to deny high-flying Bolton

RONNIE STAM scored an 80th-minute equaliser to salvage a precious point for Wigan and leave neighbours Bolton bitterly frustrated.

When on-loan Benfica forward Rodrigo Moreno produced a delightful finish to put Owen Coyle’s men ahead in the 54th minute, the stage was set for the Trotters to emerge victorious.

Yet Latics boss Roberto Martinez has fashioned a side with guts. His men refused to lie down and Dutchman Stam, a summer signing from FC Twente, stabbed home at the far post in the 80th minute to claim his first Wigan goal.

Kirkland, back from a loan spell at Leicester, was given the gloves with Ali Al-Habsi being ineligible to face the Trotters under the terms of his loan.

Wigan were dealt a major early blow when Cleverley, on loan from Manchester United, pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced by Mohamed Diame.

Wigan’s greatest threat came from striker Hugo Rodallega, who ploughed a lone furrow up front.

The Colombian front man forced a fine save from Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 32nd minute when his fierce 25-yard free-kick was parried clear by the long-serving Finn.

The Trotters went close twice within the space of as many minutes in similar circumstances shortly after the restart.

In the 47th minute Taylor’s free-kick from the right was greeted by a powerful header from Gary Cahill but his effort flew just wide. Then a corner from Taylor was completely missed by Kirkland and Cahill headed over.

The Trotters began to dominate and broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when a delightful passing sequence led to Mark Davies spotting Rodrigo making a diagonal run inside the Wigan box. Rodrigo took a touch to steady himself and then clipped a superb left-foot shot past Kirkland for his first goal in Bolton colours.

Bolton pressed for a second and after Elmander caught Kirkland with a late challenge, the goalkeeper was replaced by Pollitt. Yet Wigan refused to lie down and were level in the 80th minute with a goal that was testament to their proud passing game.

Rodallega found right-back Steve Gohouri advancing at pace down the flank and his low first-time cross was sidefooted home at the far post by Stam. Bolton peppered Pollitt’s penalty area with a series of teasing crosses but the veteran stopper made a superb stoppage-time save to repel Elmander’s drive.

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Moreno (Petrov 83), Muamba, Mark Davies, Taylor (Blake 90), Kevin Davies, Elmander.

WIGAN: Kirkland (Pollitt 62), Gohouri, Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell, Stam (McManaman 90), Figueroa, Thomas, Watson, Cleverley (Diame 12), McArthur, Rodallega.

Referee: Phil Dowd