Maddison Stunner Seals Point
Peterborough United ended a run of successive defeats with a deserved point at the DW Stadium as a superb Marcus Maddison free-kick earned a 1-1 draw against promotion contenders Wigan Athletic.Maddison popped up to cancel out Will Grigg's opener as Posh claimed a point on the road ahead of next Saturday's home clash with Port Vale at the ABAX Stadium.
Graham Westley's men had the ball in the back of the net inside two minutes as Shaquile Coulthirst and Marcus Maddison linked well down the left, but the offside flag ruled out Coulthirst's effort as Maddison was offside in the build-up.
Posh forced successive corner kicks on five minutes with Michael Bostwick seeing two goalbound shots blocked. On 12 minutes, goalkeeper Stuart Moore made a good double stop to deny Max Power and then Will Grigg on the follow-up.
Moore made another save to deny Craig Morgan on the quarter hour mark as the Latics began to up the tempo.
On 17 minutes, Posh should have found themselves ahead as Maddison picked out Smith at the back post, his volley was goalbound until it hit the unfortunate Taylor and deflected over the crossbar.
The home side were forced into a change on 19 minutes with Lee Nicholls replacing Jaaskelainen in goal after he took a clattering in the above incident.
Baldwin was booked for bringing down the dangerous Wildschut on 25 minutes. Power curled over the top after Gillett was dispossessed as the Latics continued to look a threat.
McAleny saw a shot scooped away by Moore before Wildschut rolled a shot inches past the post as the first half entered the final five minutes. Wildschut flashed another shot wide of the upright on 42 minutes after cutting inside from the left.
Coulthirst poked a Taylor cross wide of the target as the first half entered six minutes of added time.
Wigan made their final change at the break with Leon Barnett replacing Jason Pearce at the heart of the defence. Oztumer fired over from long-range moments after the re-start as Posh tried to get themselves into a commanding position.
Maddison sent a curler from 30-yards wide of the target on 48 minutes after Taylor and Oztumer did well in the approach play.
Maddison was played in by Beautyman on 50 minutes down the right channel, his first touch was heavy and Nichols did well to smother. Less than 60 seconds later, Moore proved his worth with a fine stop with his legs as Colclough found acres of space after a threaded ball from Grigg.
Beautyman was cautioned for a very late challenge by the dugouts on 53 minutes. Posh made a change on 62 minutes with Andrew Fox replacing Zakuani. Aaron Williams replaced Oztumer with Maddison dropping into the number 10 position.
Moore did well to save from Moore on 70 minutes, but moments later, the ball was in the back of the Posh net as former MK Dons man Will GRIGG slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper as Westley's men were caught out at the back.
Chettle replaced Beautyman moments later with Maddison going into the book for dissent on 78 minutes. On 80 minutes, Posh levelled the scores as Marcus MADDISON produced a superb free-kick from long-range which nestled into the net via the inside of the post.
Moore produced a stunning stop from point blank range to deny Grigg as Wigan pressed as the game entered the final few minutes.
Four minutes of added time was signalled by the fourth official, but Posh held on for the point.
Wigan: Jaaskelainen (sub Nicholls 19min), Perkins, Daniels, Power, Grigg, Morgan, McAleny (sub McCann 45min), Pearce (sub Barnett 46min), Wildschut, Wabara, Colclough. Unused subs: Kellett, Davies, Chow, Vuckic.
Posh: Moore, Smith, Zakuani (sub Fox 62min), Bostwick, Baldwin, Gillett, Beautyman (sub Chettle 73min), Taylor, Oztumer, (sub Williams 66min) Maddison, Coulthirst. Unused subs: Henry, Nichols, Coulibaly, Nabi.
Half-time: Wigan Athletic 0-0 Peterborough United
Full-time: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Peterborough United
Attendance: 8,877 (409 Posh)