Wigan claim precious point (From Ealing Times)

Wigan claim precious point

5:05pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in National Sport News © Press Association 2011

Wigan benefited from one of the more bizarre goals the Barclays Premier League will see this season but had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Everton at the DW Stadium.

It had been a thoroughly forgettable affair until the 76th minute when Phil Neville blocked a Jean Beausejour cross and the ball somehow found its way past Tim Howard for a hugely embarrassing own goal.

But the hosts' lead lasted only seven minutes, substitute Victor Anichebe heading in the equaliser to ensure Everton followed up their win over Manchester City on Tuesday with a point on the road.

Denis Stracqualursi had the first decent chance in the 13th minute, but he poked the ball tamely at Ali Al Habsi.

In the 20th minute a long ball from Maynor Figueroa caught out Everton but Franco Di Santo shot too close to Howard.

Jordi Gomez curled a free-kick over after Johnny Heitinga had hauled down Di Santo, while Wigan scrambled a Landon Donovan corner clear.

Darron Gibson spurned a chance five minutes before the break, sending his shot over after Leighton Baines had crossed.

Di Santo hobbled off and Albert Crusat entered the fray.

Wigan got a slice of luck in the 76th minute. Neville got a foot to Beausejour's cross and the ball headed straight for Howard but he let it bounce and the spin took the ball into the net.

Anichebe came on for Tony Hibbert in the 81st minute, and within two minutes he had equalised, leaping high to guide in a header from Baines' cross.