Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

DARLINGTON vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 18th August 1979

LAST MINUTE DRAMA ON AS LATICS GRAB A POINT AT FEETHAMS.

Barnsley born referee Trelford Mills was at the centre of last-minute controversy at Feethams as Darlington grabbed a point with an equaliser deep in stoppage time.

The afternoon in the August sunshine had begun well for a well-drilled Wigan side and PURDIE had taken full advantage of a twelfth minute opportunity supplied by a fine through ball by Wright to fire home and give Latics a lead that their early play had warranted.

Houghton could have doubled the lead but failed to make a proper connection with his shot and the chance was gone.

Wigan seemed in control but an uncharacteristic error by Hinnigan, when he conceded a free-kick allowed Walsh to fire in a dipping effort that Shyne could only parry and the ball which fell kindly for TAYLOR who was able to stab home the rebound.

Half time; Darlington 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Darlington gained heart from the goal and after the break they grew into the game with Shyne having to make a number of timely interventions to keep the scores level.

 In the 72^nd minute Wigan were unlucky not to go ahead when a curled cross by Wright evaded the defence and Moore was able to direct the ball goalwards, only for the woodwork to intervene as the ball bounced clear off the foot of the post.

In the dying minutes HINNIGAN thought he had redeemed for his earlier error when he ghosted in to head home a pin-point cross by Wright.  

The points looked to be heading back to Springfield but the referee seemed reluctant to blow the final whistle and it was wing man TAYLOR, who had signed from York in the summer, that was again the man of the moment. He turned the Wigan defence and fired in a low shot that found the bottom corner of the net.

Full time; Darlington 2-2 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Taylor (41), (90+3); Purdie (12), Hinnigan (89);

Attendance; 2,063

Team; WIGAN—Shyne; Smart, Hinnigan, N. Ward, Fretwell; Gore, Wright, Corrigan, Purdie; Houghton, Moore; SUB not used; Davids;

DARLINGTON--- Owers; Coleman, Nattress, Clark, Crossen; Taylor, Probert, Charlton, Peachey, Ellis, Walsh; SUB; -- McClean (for Probert);

Referee; Mr. Trelford Mills (Barnsley).