Powell nicks in to make a Wigan point
NICK POWELL helped Wigan dent Rubin Kazan’s European record as they claimed a battling point.
Rubin have won all eight of their Europa League games this season, having begun in the second qualifying round in July.
And Latics fans probably feared the worst when Aleksandr Prudnikov put the Russian side ahead.
But the FA Cup holders showed plenty of fi ghting spirit and got back on level terms when Manchester United loanee Powell scored a stunning goal from 30 yards. Wigan had a penalty appeal turned down in the ninth minute when Powell’s shot was blocked by the arm of Chris Mavinga.
French defender Mavinga, once on Liverpool’s books but never played a fi rst- team game, then played a key role at the other end with a delicate ball over the top of the Wigan defence. Rubin striker Prudnikov beat the Wigan offside trap and controlled before striking a low, angled shot which beat goalkeeper Scott Carson at his near post.
Ben Watson stole possession for Wigan shortly before the halfhour mark which allowed Grant Holt to tee up Jordi Gomez but the Spaniard lifted his shot over the bar.
A long punt from Carson caused havoc in the Rubin penalty box only for Holt to fail to generate enough power with his acrobatic attempt.
Rubin goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov was kept busy but could do nothing about Wigan’s equaliser in the 39th minute as a neat exchange of passes between Chris McCann and Watson created space for Powell.
Powell took a touch before he rifl ed a low shot which nestled in the corner of the net from 25 yards to notch his third goal in Europe.
Wigan had a penalty claim turned down in the second half and twice broke clear but neither Powell nor substitute Marc- Antoine Fortune were able to take advantage.