Ben Watson scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute converting a penalty three minutes from time and snatch a vital point for 10-man Wigan against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
Roberto Martinez made the extraordinary move to send Watson on at the death to take the penalty with the midfielder repaying his managers faith by slotting the ball past Thomas Sorensen to provide another massive boost to the Latic’s survival bid. It was the least they deserved after Victor Moses put them in front just before the break with Gary Caldwell’s red card allowing Jon Walters to score from the spot before a Cameron Jerome goal four minutes from time looked to have ensured victory for Tony Pulis’ men. However it would be Martinez who would have the last laugh as Watson kept his cool at the death to move the visitors to within two points of safety and keep the confidence levels at the DW Stadium at an optimum level.
Stoke employed their usual aerial tactics from the off with Rory Delap launching a long throw into the opposition penalty area only to see Robert Huth head the ball wide. That seemed to wake Wigan up and they almost took the though Ronnie Stam after the defender cut inside and smashed a 25-yard strike towards goal and bring the best out of Sorensen. Ryan Shawcross then spared his keepers blushes clearing off the line after Hugo Rodallega had beaten the Dane with an ambitious chip before Maynor Figueroa attempted to repeat his half way line goal from two seasons ago only to see the ball sailed well wide on this occasion. The Latics continued to pressurise the host and finally made the breakthrough just before half time with Moses finishing off a flowing move involving Stam and Rodallega.
The Potters looked for an immediate response after the break but Huth could only head against the post from another Delap throw before they were handed a much needed lifeline. Gary Caldwell handled in the penalty area prompting referee Michael Oliver to point to the spot and brandish a red card in the direction of the Scotland defender. Walters stepped up to strike straight and true past Ali Al Habsi 13 minutes from time to instigate a frenzied conclusion to the game. Seven minutes later the hosts had the lead taking advantage their numerical supremacy as Jerome angled the ball into the far corner after being played in by Walters. However there was one last flash of drama to come as Rodallega went down easily in the box following a challenge by Ryan Shotton allowing Watson to score with his first touch after Martinez sent on the penalty specialist in an extraordinary move that paid off for the Spaniard as his side moved to within inches of safety.
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