Sheffield United missed their chance to move into the top two when they were
held by Wigan in a frenetic Division One clash.
Two goals in less than a minute midway through the first half warmed a crowd
of more than 26,000 at Bramall Lane, but neither side could carve out any
meaningful chances in a disappointing second period.
Jack Lester scored his 10th goal of the season to put the Blades ahead in the
23rd minute, but Nathan Ellington hit back for the visitors from the edge of the
penalty area less than 60 seconds later.
Prompted by midfielder Jimmy Bullard - who sent a 35-yarder fizzing narrowly
wide - Wigan had much the better of the early chances, with two goalbound Jason
De Vos headers forcing fit-again Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny into hasty
action.
United fans had to wait until the 15th minute before their side got in a shot
on goal - Lester pulling his effort from the edge of the penalty area wide,
while Nick Montgomery's header from a Rob Kozluk cross was off target.
The home side then caught Wigan on the break to take the lead against the run
of play.
The Blades broke down field; Ashley Ward found strike partner Lester in space
in the area, and the latter drilled home from close range.
United's lead was short-lived. Wigan striker Neil Roberts had time out wide to
pick out Ellington, and the record signing ran on to sweep home the equaliser
from 15 yards.
Blades midfielder Michael Tonge then failed to hit the target with a 25-yard
free-kick - and Peter Ndlovu fired in a 20-yarder which flew inches over before
Robert Page headed wide.
Lee McCulloch tested Kenny again from distance, while Gary Teale fired in from
the edge of the box just before the interval.
Lester had Filan scrambling to turn away his 18-yard shot straight after the
restart - and at the other end Kenny did well to hold a header from Roberts,
while Teale rifled one over from 20 yards.
On the hour Blades boss Neil Warnock replaced Ndlovu with striker Steve Kabba,
who was making his first appearance of the season following tendinitis in his
knee.
Both sides were whipping crosses into the opposition box, with neither able to
carve out an opening.
Lester went close from a set-piece, heading Tonge's free-kick wide - and
Ellington was wayward with his left-footer from the edge of the box as the game
headed for a draw.
Warnock threw on Wayne Allison and Paul Peschisolido for Ward and Lester with
10 minutes to go in a bid to snatch the spoils, but Wigan held firm and could
have nicked it themselves had Ian Breckin's header in the closing stages not
been safely snaffled by Kenny.
Teams
Sheff Utd Kenny, Kozluk, Phil Jagielka, Page, Wright,
Ndlovu (Kabba 60), Montgomery, McCall, Tonge,
Ward (Allison 80), Lester (Peschisolido 80).
Subs Not Used: Whitlow, Boussatta.
Booked: Ward, Lester.
Goals: Lester 23.
Wigan Filan, Eaden, Breckin, De Vos, Baines, Teale, Jarrett,
Bullard, McCulloch, Roberts, Ellington.
Subs Not Used: Mitchell, Jackson, Kennedy, Flynn, Walsh.
Goals: Ellington 24.
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