Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan left it late to take a share of the spoils from Swindon Town's County Ground. An early Simon Haworth goal (7) had been wiped out by goals from Alexander (21) and Robinson (22) for Swindon before Scott Green headed in the equaliser with just four minutes remaining on the clock.

Attacking the Town End in the first half, Swindon forced the first corner of the game after only 4 minutes and headed over the bar from the resulting kick.

Moments later Haworth shot wide with an ambitious strike from outside the area before they got the break they needed on 7 minutes.

Wigan were awarded a dubious free kick a few yards from goal, along the goal line and inside the penalty area after referee Alcock had adjudged the Swindon keeper had picked up a back pass.

SIMON HAWORTH rattled in from close range after collecting the ball from the indirect free kick to make the score 1-0.

The Wigan fans began to find good voice as Latics grew with confidence and McLaughlin shot marginally wide of the mark on 10 minutes.

Swindon started to get themselves back into the game and went close on 18 minutes with a shot being put just wide and then managed to level affairs three minutes later.

Keeper Roy Carroll raced to right hand side of his area to collect an easy ball but a lack of communication between the keeper and defender Stuart Balmer allowed Swindon to collect the ball, cross into the middle of the box and GARY ALEXANDER slotted the ball into the back of the Wigan goal.

Within a minute Swindon took the lead following a combination of luck and poor defending on Wigan's part allowing Robins' skipper MARK ROBINSON in to score.

Brian McLaughlin was unlucky on 24 minutes when his effort hit the post as Wigan attempted to get back into the game against a Swindon side that had up to now failed to win at home this season.

Swindon, however, had grown in confidence after taking the lead and went close themselves on 26 minutes, firing the ball wide.

More problems for Wigan on the half hour mark when Neil Roberts came into the game, replacing Kevin Nicholls who appeared to have picked up a knock.

Roberts immediately took his place up front, partnering Haworth and Scott Green dropped back into the right midfield slot with Kilford moving into the middle.

Wigan finished the half strongly and in the final minutes won a series of corners and free kicks around the Swindon penalty area but to no avail.

Half Time: Swindon 2 Wigan 1

Wigan started the second half knowing they had a uphill battle. The half started scrappily with both sides trying to get their grip on the game.

Latics were forced into a second subtitution on 55 minutes when Stuart Balmer left the field with a back injury and was replaced by Carl Bradshaw.

Swindon began to take control of the game on the hour mark as Wigan struggled to find any pattern and a couple of weak efforts was all they had to show from the opening exchanges in the second half.

Neil Roberts headed wide whilst Kilford was ambitious with a long range effort.

With just 15 minutes remaining Wigan were still getting caught in possession in midfield as they tried to push forward for an equaliser with Swindon trying to slow things down.

Latics piled the pressure on in the final 10 minutes of the game with a series of attacks on the Swindon goal and numerous corners.

The constant pressure finally paid off with 4 minutes remaining.

Carl Bradshaw swung a corner kick into the centre of the Swindon penalty area, the ball found it's way to SCOTT GREEN who nodded the ball in from 2 feet.

Both sides tried to create a winner in the final moments but on reflection 2-2 was a fair result on the balance of things with both teams deserving something out of the game.

A fair result but Wigan do need to turn the away draws into wins if any thoughts of promotion are to be turned into reality.

Injuries during the game didn't help Wigan's cause but more composure and concentration is still required to win more points away from the JJB Stadium.