Wigan and Burton share spoils
Burton ground out a goalless draw at the DW Stadium to remain unbeaten against Wigan in their history.
Since being elected to the Football League in 1978, Wigan have beaten everyone except the Brewers and that run continued.
The home side had the better of the chances, but both teams resumed after the international break with at least a welcome point.
Lucas Akins had a good early chance for the visitors, but his goalbound shot was cleared off the line by an alert Dan Burn.
And it was the Brewers who forced the pace in the opening exchanges.
Nigel Clough's side had another good chance in the seventh minute, but Ben Turner headed over at the back post.
Finally the home side sprung to life and striker Adam Le Fondre went agonisingly close to scoring. His curling right-foot shot was heading for the far corner but Burton keeper Jon McLaughlin produced a smart fingertip save to deny him.
Chris O'Grady then nearly scored for Burton with what would have been one of the goals of the season.
Wigan keeper Adam Bogdan was left in no man's land as he raced out of his area to head clear, only for the ball to fall invitingly at the feet of O'Grady close to the halfway line.
The striker went for goal but Burn timed his run to perfection and cleared the ball off his own line for a second time in the contest.
Michael Jacobs had a powerful left-foot shot charged down as Gary Caldwell's Wigan pushed for the opener.
But at the other end Tom Naylor rifled a right-foot shot over the bar to give the hosts a scare.
Winger Yanic Wildschut squared the ball perfectly for Jacobs on the half-hour mark, but his powerful right-footed shot was deflected for a corner.
Midfielder Matt Palmer carelessly gave the ball away and Le Fondre tried a clever chip which passed a couple of inches over the bar.
Three minutes after the restart Will Miller blasted over with an ambitious left-foot strike for the visitors, before Le Fondre tested McLaughlin with a left-foot shot at his near post as Wigan looked to break the deadlock.
Moments later Akins drilled a fierce shot straight at Bogdan as the game opened up.
Nick Powell saw his goalbound free-kick punched away by McLaughlin, but only to Nathan Byrne who volleyed just over with a sweet right-foot effort.
Skipper Stephen Warnock whipped in a delightful cross from the left but former Manchester United man Powell somehow headed wide with the goal at his mercy. It was a glorious chance that went begging.
Jacobs had another gilt-edged chance for Wigan with 13 minutes remaining, but his thunderous shot was palmed away by McLaughlin and it remained goalless.
Source: PA
