WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 PRESTON NORTH END 0

STRUGGLING Wigan held play-off chasing Preston at the DW Stadium in an encounter short on quality and chances.

Preston only had themselves to blame for not picking up all three points, having been awarded a penalty inside 10 minutes.

But Wigan goalkeeper Matt Gilks – making his home debut – kept out Jordan Hugill’s spot- kick, before denying the North End man from the rebound as well.

Wigan struggled to get anything going at the other end, with North End goalkeeper Chris Maxwell a virtual spectator.

The home side started the brighter with Omar Bogle a constant thorn in North End’s side, but it was Preston who were given the opportunity to open the scoring when the referee pointed to the spot, for a Bogle foul on Callum Robinson.

Hugill placed the ball on the spot, but the 10- goal striker’s first effort was saved by Gilks, and the Wigan goalkeeper did ever so well to deal with the rebound, too.

Wigan were energised by the let- off, and Will Grigg’s lay- off found right- back Callum Connolly, whose effort was only just too high.

A late challenge from Aiden McGeady on Shaun MacDonald led to a few handbags and a yellow card for the North End man as Wigan got to the break at 0-0.

Preston picked up where they left off as Ben Pearson engineered a decent shooting opportunity for himself 25 yards out, but his effort was wide of the mark.

It became apparent that one goal could settle an affair that was light on goalmouth action, but with 14 minutes to go Bogle wasted the opportunity to win the game as Preston’ s Greg Cunningham came out of nowhere to pull off a fabulous block and ensure honours ended even.