Report by John Patrick Heeley

Latics made the very short journey to Leigh to honour former defender and local lad Mark Schofield.

The game was an ideal opportunity for Bruce Rioch to take stock of exactly what he has got to work with for next season.

Latics new boss Bruce Rioch used this testimonial match to assess exactly what he had to play with next season, using twenty two players during the ninety minutes.

The game was started with a reasonably strong line up with the likes of Roy Carroll, Andy Liddell, Simon Haworth, Arjan de Zeeuw and company shaking off the cobwebs.

A decent crowd by Leigh's standards turned up to honour former Wigan and RMI defender Mark Schofield. Schofield, a 33 year old police officer and currently playing part time for Unibond League outfit Marine, came through the schoolboy ranks at Wigan, turning out six times for the first team before stepping down to semi-professional level with Horwich RMI (now Leigh RMI) making over 400 appearances for the club.

The first half was played at a fast pace but as friendlies usually go was not played with total enthusiasm as both sides prepared themselves for the start of the new season.

Latics began the half the stronger though and nearly took an early lead through Neil Redfearn but his shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Wigan also had chances through Haworth and McLoughlin, who both had efforts blocked at the far post following a Felgate fumble from a Liddell cross.

Liddell was provider again, crossing from the right wing only for Griffiths' effort to be volleyed wide of the mark.

Leigh's only real opportunity on goal came shortly after the quarter-of-an-hour mark when Jones' cross found the head of striker Cumiskey but he nodded just wide of the target.

Latics took a deserved lead on 40 minutes after Redfearn had put Liddell clear down the right wing. Last seasons Player of the Year ANDY LIDDELL raced into the box before lifting the ball over Felgate, who was a couple of yards off his line in an attempt to narrow the angle, and the ball landed perfectly in the far corner of the goal.

The second half saw a run out for youngsters Andy Morris, Francis McMahon and Paul Mitchell who recently signed professional terms with the club after successfully coming through the schoolboy ranks. Also thrown into the action were former club captain and coach Colin Greenall and David Lee who is still training with Wigan whilst looking for a new club after being released at the end of last season.

All eyes, however, were on Argentinean left back Diego Padula who had only signed for Wigan hours after getting off a plane from his home country earlier in the day.

Leigh had a chance to level the game shortly after the hour mark when Ged Kielty shot straight into the arms of Wigan keeper Derek Stillie.

Wigan's best chance of the half fell to Neil Roberts on 77 minutes, his header from Brian McLaughlin's cross finding the woodwork.

Three minutes later Leigh found the equaliser. Wigan's Mitchell brought down Jones wide out on the left and former Bolton Wanderers star Mark Patterson's cross from the resulting free kick was flicked on by Swan, finding RIDINGS eight yards out who rose to meet the ball with a powerful header leaving Stillie with no chance.

The only downside of the game was an injury picked up by Martinez during a tackle with Patterson. It is thought that the Spaniard damaged ankle ligamnets and will probably miss the start of the new season.