Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

CREWE ALEXANDRA vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

14^th April 1979

PROMOTION CHARGE HITS THE BUFFERS.

Following the heroics of the day before a huge following of nearly 3,000 Latics fans made their way down to Gresty Road to see their promotion chasing side take on the re-election threatened outfit from the midlands.

Wigan began on the front foot and gained a somewhat soft penalty when Bowles was deemed to have impeded Ward as he tried to get his head to a floated cross from Gore.  PURDIE stepped up and confidently converted the penalty kick.

Crewe responded well to the early set back and had the better of the exchanges. The hat-trick hero from the previous day, Peter Houghton, was on the wrong end of a heavy challenge from Wilkinson in the 16^th minute and limped his way through the first period before being subbed early in the second half.

Half Time; Crewe Alex 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

Crewe continued to dominate after the break but rarely tested Brown in the Wigan goal. The best chance fell to Purdie in the 80^th minute when he beat the offside trap and was left with just the keeper to beat but he was thwarted when Rafferty dove bravely at his feet to smother the chance.

In the 85^th minute Warnock played a deep cross into the Latics box and COYNE was on hand to slot the ball home with the Wigan rearguard all at sea. Latics certainly lacked their usual energy in midfield and the efforts of the previous day had clearly taken a toll on the players.

Manager McNeill had few complaints at the final whistle as Crewe were well worth their point on the balance of play, but with games running out the point dropped could well prove decisive in the promotion race.

Full Time; Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Scorers; Purdie (2, pen); Coyne (85);

Attendance; 4,604

Team; WIGAN (4-4-2)—Brown; Smart, Hinnigan, Fretwell, Ward; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Houghton, Moore; Sub; Brownbill for Houghton.

CREWE ALEX (4-4-2) — Rafferty; Wilkinson, Dulson, Purdie, Bowles, Bevan, Robertson, Cheetham, Warnock, Coyne, Nelson; Sub; Roberts for Purdie.

Referee; Mr. Alan Seville (Birmingham).

The Latics squad have two days rest before they return to action on Easter Monday against Hartlepool United.