Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE

CARDIFF CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

3^rd February 1990

PILLING THE PLUNDERER GRABS A PRECIOUS POINT.

Wigans hopes of pushing for a play-off spot were given a timely boost by the right boot of Andy Pilling.

The midfielder has the handy knack, of late, of popping up in just the right place at the right time to grab important goals.

Pilling was certainly a thorn in the side of the Welsh side as he fired narrowly wide and then forced a save from Hansbury who bravely smothered a well struck effort.

Just before the break the lively PILLING again lost his marker and when he latched onto a Steve Senior free kick his fierce shot from the edge of the box had enough strength to defeat the diving keeper and the spinning ball found the back of the net.

Half Time; Cardiff City 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Two minutes after the break and Cardiff drew level when Griffith forced a save from Hughes, but the keeper failed to hold the ball and RODGERSON was able to force the ball home.

Wigan defended well and the home side was restricted to half chances although a spectacular overhead kick by Griffith struck the bar.

The best effort of the half again came from that man Pilling who curled a shot from 20 yards that beat Hansbury but it also passed inches wide of the far post.

Peter Atherton and Alan Johnson were in commanding form at the back and they made light of loss of Steve Senior to a late injury as Wigan comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to claim a well-deserved point.

Full Time; Cardiff City 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Pilling (44); Rodgerson (47);

Attendance; 3,280

Teams; WIGAN (4-4-2) --- Hughes; Senior, Tankard, Atherton, Johnson; Rimmer, Pilling, D. Thompson, Carberry; Page, Daley; Subs; --- Taylor (for Senior), B. Griffiths (for Page);

CARDIFF CITY (4-4-2) --- Hansbury; Rodgerson, Daniel, Barnard, Abraham; Gibbins, Chandler, Griffith, Pike; Perry, Kelly; Subs; --- Lewis, Fry;

Referee; Mr Martin Bodenham (Cornwall)