Stoke 2 - 2 Wigan

Last updated : 27 January 2002 By Paul Farrington

De Zeeuw goes for a header
Stoke City had to dig deep to end a run of two league defeats which had seriously dented their promotion hopes.

Twice the Potters had to come from behind to earn a point against a well-organised and disciplined Wigan side.

The Latics bounced back from a midweek defeat with a dominating first half performance, which left City reeling.

But after the break the Potters went all out to salvage something from the game and bombarded the visitors defence.

The away side had started strongly and had a great chance to go in front after just two minutes.

Winger Gary Teale played the ball into the area for Lee McCulloch but as he looked to get in a shot full-back Wayne Thomas produced a vital tackle to deny the striker.

Wigan kept up the pressure on the home side and Stoke were left stunned when the visitors shot in front after just 20 minutes.

Teale had caused the home side more trouble on the right-flank before Scott Green took up the ball at the edge of the area and skipped three challenges as he closed on goal, then hit the ball into the corner of the net from 12 yards.

Stoke desperately tried to get back into the game and in the 31st minute a corner from Bjarni Gudjonsson saw centre half Mike Flynn head down for Rikhardur Dadason but he sent the ball just wide of the post.

Minutes later Gudjonsson fired in a shot from 30 yards but again he was off target.

Midfielder Jurgen Vanduerzen split the Wigan defence in the 37th minute with a superb through ball from Marc Goodfellow who took the ball just inside the area and coolly slotted it past the advancing keeper into the corner of the net for Stoke's equaliser.

Wigan kept up the pressure and on the stroke of half time restored their lead with a superbly worked goal.

Teale crossed from the right and midfielder Tony Dinning charged into the penalty area before hitting the ball home from six yards.

Stoke reorganised after the break and looked a more formidable outfit as they pushed forward looking to drag themselves back into the game.

Substitute Lewis Neal and striker Dadason both fired in shots early in the second period but the Potters had to wait for a penalty in the 66th minute for their second equaliser.

Arjan De Zeeuw fouled Dadason in the area as he moved onto a pass from Marc Goodfellow.

The Stoke striker got to his feet and took the penalty kick himself, making no mistake sending the keeper the wrong way with his left-footed spot-kick.

Player Ratings

John Filan (7)
Scott Green (8)
Gary Croft (6)
Arjan De Zeeuw (8)
Pat McGibbbon (6)
Stevie McMillan (7)
Gary Teale (6)
Ged Brannan (6)
Tony Dinning (7)
Andy Liddell (7)
Lee McCulloch (7)

MOM

Arjan De Zeeuw