That’s Sou cruel on Christian

A CONTROVERSIAL last-gasp penalty handed Forest a vital away point – but boss Aitor Karanka saw the positive side.

Christian Walton’s penalty save from Lewis Grabban was bundled home by Algerian Hillal Soudani to earn a 90th-minute point.

Karanka, who has spent £23million bringing in 13 new players, said: “We were fighting right to the last second and that is pleasing.”

Nick Powell had put Wigan in the driving seat after just two minutes and Karanka added: “I reminded the players before kick-off to be careful against Wigan.

“They are a good group, have a good manager and they have the momentum of having gained promotion last season.

“The main thing was the spirit that got us the point and kept our unbeaten run going.”

Matty Cash levelled for Forest eight minutes after Powell’s strike. WIll Grigg then put Wigan back ahead with a no-nonsense penalty, only for Soudani’s late, late show.

Latics’ boss Paul Cook said: “I don’t feel hard done by really.

“Forest are a quality side and we’re always going to battle to the end.

“We’re disappointed but we got another point and the crowd must be pleased with our performance.”

Wigan fans certainly know what a class act young Powell is – and Forest learned that pretty quickly too.

The former Manchester United man, snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson as a young hopeful from Crewe, scored after just two minutes to put big-spending Forest on the back foot. But Cash, 21, made no mistake with his leveller eight minutes later.

He was set up by £13.2m signing Joao Carvalho and broke brilliantly to leave Wigan’s defence in his wake.

Stranded keeper Walton tried to narrow the angle but the advancing Cash kept his cool.

Wigan’s second breakthrough came courtesy of Grigg who was brought down in the box by Ben Osborne.

Grigg stepped up to fire the ball over the sprawling body of Costel Pantilimon.

That looked to be the game sorted – until Soudani’s late drama.