By @LaticsOfficial

  • Match Report: Wigan Athletic 2 – 2 Burnley
  • Anthony Pilkington and Joe Gelhardt score to give Latics creditable 2-2 draw with Burnley in final pre-season friendly before Sky Bet Championship kicks-off next weekend
  • Jay Rodriguez and Dwight McNeill had given Sean Dyche’s Clarets a two-goal advantage

WIGAN ATHLETIC 2

Pilkington 28

Gelhardt 67

BURNLEY 2

Rodriguez 5

McNeill 11

Attendance: 3,376 (667 away)

A second-half Joe Gelhardt strike earned Latics a 2-2 draw with Burnley in their final pre-season friendly before the Sky Bet Championship campaign kicks-off next weekend against Cardiff City.

Latics trailed early on as Jay Rodriguez and Dwight McNeill gave Sean Dyche’s side the lead inside 11 minutes.

However, Anthony Pilkington got one back for Paul Cook’s men just before half-time before Gelhardt’s strike rounded off a strong performance following a slow start.

Burnley were ahead after just five minutes as Johann Berg Gudmunsson was slipped in behind before he squared for Rodriguez to slide into the empty net.

The Clarets’ second came just over five minutes later as McNeill fired a powerful left-footed in from range.

Latics reacted well and Pilkington saw a long-range drive excellently saved by Tom Heaton before he got one back when converting Josh Windass’ cross, following an excellent individual piece of skill from the forward.

Windass tried the spectacular just before half-time, driving from all of 40 yards and almost catching Heaton out with an inventive effort.

McNeill gave Latics an early warning in the second-half, firing over at the back post before Latics excelled in the game with Jacobs producing a fine run before seeing his effort saved by Heaton.

Nathan Byrne volleyed at Heaton just after the hour mark as Latics searched for a leveller which eventually came through Gelhardt as the academy graduate turned well and drove home excellently.

Both sides had late chances for a winner but Latics will be pleased with the majority of their performance as they head into their Championship campaign next weekend against Cardiff City at the DW Stadium.

Latics: Marshall, Robinson (Roberts 70), Macleod (Fox 45), Pilkington (Massey 59), Evans (Weir 70), Windass (Gelhardt 59), Garner (Lang 59), Jacobs (Naismith 59), Lopes (Byrne 56), Kipre, Dunkley (Capt).

Subs: Jones, Roberts, Weir

Burnley: Heaton (Capt), Lowton (Bardsley 60), Tarkowski, Mee (Long 60), Taylor (Pieters 71), Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood (Hendrick 71), McNeil (Lennon 71), Rodriguez (Vydra 78), Barnes (Wood 60)

Subs: Hart, Younger