Wigan Athletic earn credible draw at Lincoln

Lincoln City 2 - 2 Wigan Athletic

Callum Wright helped Wigan secure a hard-fought draw away to Lincoln City in an action-packed game.

Author | Craig H

Stadium | LNER Stadium

Paul Mullin’s opener was overturned by two James Collins goals, before Callum Wright equalised. Christian Saydee’s red card and Rob Street’s dismissal left both sides with ten men, and Dara Costelloe struck the bar late on.

A closer look at what happened

Wigan made the long trip to Lincoln in search of their first away victory of the new season.

Matt Smith, who impressed off the bench against Stockport County last weekend, was handed a start in midfield in place of Tyrese Francois, while Paul Mullin replaced Dara Costelloe up front. All three of the club’s Deadline Day recruits, Toby Savin, Ollie Cooper and Raphael Bogues Rodrigues, were included in the squad for the first time.

Latics began brightly, dictating play and unsettling the hosts with quick passing and direct attacking. The opener arrived in style when goalkeeper Sam Tickle launched a curling kick into the path of Mullin, who held off former Wigan captain Tendayi Darikwa before rounding George Wickens and calmly slotting home.

The visitors threatened to extend their lead moments later when Christian Saydee latched on to Morgan Fox’s long ball but fired narrowly wide from close range. Lincoln, however, turned the game on its head before the break. Luke Collins equalised from the penalty spot, sending Tickle the wrong way, and two minutes later he diverted Ryley Towler’s header past the Wigan keeper to put the hosts ahead.

Wigan responded swiftly after the restart. Saydee showed strength to hold off defenders on the edge of the box, cleverly backheeling the ball into space before clipping a cross for Callum Wright to nod in from close range.

The match grew increasingly fractious. Saydee was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Tom Bayliss, reducing Wigan to ten men. Soon after, Lincoln’s Jack Street was dismissed for a high boot that narrowly missed Baba Adeeko, restoring parity in numbers.

Both teams pushed for a late winner in a frantic finale. Costelloe came agonisingly close when his strike cannoned off the crossbar, while at the other end Kelland Aimson cleared off the line in the dying seconds to ensure the points were shared.

Latics will look to return to winning ways when they host Doncaster Rovers at the Brick Community Stadium next weekend.