Report by John Patrick Heeley

WIGAN travelled to Meadow Lane in search of their fifth successive league victory over Notts County but came away with a solitary point yet again on their travels.

Last season saw Latics draw far too many matches, especially away from home, and many blamed their failure to win automatic promotion to the First Division on this.

This game, however, will be mainly remembered for the last few minutes of the afternoon as both sides were awarded a spot-kick and Notts County found themselves down to nine men as referee Taylor dismissed Mark Stannard and Andy Hughes in injury time.

Notts County took the lead just before the break and it was nothing more than the home side deserved as they dominated overall during the first 45 minutes.

Although Wigan did have their chances in the opening exchanges with Roberts' left foot drive going narrowly wide of the mark and Kevin Sharp put a set piece free kick marginally over the bar, clipping the woodwork on it's way.

Roy Carroll, returning from international duty, came under criticism from manager Bruce Rioch for his first half performance although he did pull off a couple of good saves to deny Mark Stannard, County's leading marksman, and Ian Hamilton.

The Magpies took their lead in the final minute when an Andy McDermott cross found the head of SEAN FARRELL who made no mistake with his effort to put it into the back of the net.

HALF TIME: Notts County 1 Wigan 0

Wigan were without their main strikerforce of Liddell and Haworth but Neil Roberts stepped into the breach and capped a fine performance alongside Lee Ashcroft up front with the equalising goal on 75 minutes.

Pat McGibbon crossed the ball from the right wing and found the head of Lee Ashcroft but his effort was superbly blocked by Paul Gibson in the County goal and ROBERTS picked up the loose ball for a simple tap in.

Latics were a different side in the second half but left it late to take the lead. Neil Roberts raced into the area to claim a loose ball, beat Gibson but was brought down by the keeper, earning himself a yellow card and conceding a penalty. Substitute NEIL REDFEARN was as reliable as ever from the spot and looked to have given Wigan the victory.

However Notts County had other ideas and thought they deserved more from the game. With the seconds ticking away Roy Carroll failed to collect the ball properly and in the ensuing scramble the Northern Ireland keeper was adjudged to have fouled Nick Fenton, on loan from Manchester City, and Notts County were awarded the second penalty of the game.

ANDY HUGHES had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes but took it upon himself to take the kick. Hughes' penalty was well saved by Carroll but he made no mistake from the rebound.

That was when all the fun and games started. Stannard rushed to retrieve the ball from the back of the net and found himself involved in a skirmish with a number of Wigan players and was shown the red card.

Then straight after the restart goalscorer Hughes made a rash challenge on Brian McLaughlin leaving him needing treatment from Wigan physio Alex Cribley. Hughes was shown his second yellow of the game and followed his team mate to the showers.

FULL TIME: Notts County 2 Wigan 2