Wigan Athletic 1, Lincoln City 1

James Collins earned City a point at Wigan Athletic as he marked his first start for the club with a vital goal.

Collins partnered Jovon Makama up front at the Brick Community Stadium and struck after 89 minutes, after home keeper Sam Tickle had initially saved his penalty kick.

Midfielder Ethan Hamilton also came into the starting line-up, as one of three changes made by head coach Michael Skubala alongside the front two of Collins and Makama. Zach Jeacock continued in goal, with George Wickens returning from a shoulder injury to take a place on the bench.

Ben House was also fit to be included on the bench despite being forced out of Tuesday’s game against Blackpool with a dead leg.

It was an entertaining start to the match with both sides looking to attack from the off, with Paudie O'Connor getting across to block a Dale Taylor cross after just two minutes.

However, it the Imps had most of the early possession and forcing the home defenders to work hard and a couple of efforts from Tom Bayliss including a shot that bounced back off the crossbar.

The home side took the lead against the run of play after 36 minutes as they countered quickly from an Imps attack. Taylor played in Jonny Smith who curled the ball home despite Bayliss' best efforts to get back to cover.

Skubala used four substitutes in his quest to gain a point for the Imps and although there were opportunities from corners and some good deliveries into the area, the home side dug in - often with all their outfield players back - to hold on.

The crucial intervention came a couple of minutes from time as the Imps were awarded a penalty following an infringement from the corner.

Although Tickle did well to initially keep Collins' effort out, the experienced forward kept his composure to slot home on the rebound.

Skubala said: "It's a tough place to come and we knew it would be difficult, so in the end it's not a bad result and it's probably a fair one in how the game panned out.

"I thought we started the game brightly but the injury happened and we stepped off the pace, and in the last 20 minutes of the first half the performance wasn't the level we aim for."

City had to dig in to remain in the game in the second period before Collins struck after 88 minutes.

Skubala added: "In the second half we kept going and kept fighting and got a point from it in the end.

"It's the third game in eight days and we weren't at our best, but on reflection we'll probably see it as a point gained."

Picture: Vaughan Photography

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