Norwich City 1 Wigan 1

Last updated : 11 March 2012 By Mark Burchett

Norwich City missed a glorious chance to move up into eighth in the Premier League and just one point behind Liverpool after being held to a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road by Wigan.

They began well enough, taking a 10th minute lead through Wes Hoolahan but failed to build upon that and as the game wore on Wigan came more and more in the reckoning. It came as no real surprise when they deservedly equalised through Victor Moses in the 68th minute.

And had it not been for City's Man of the Match, goalkeeper John Ruddy, Roberto Martinez' relegated threatened side could have grabbed the victory and three valuable points.

For the home side Paul Lambert made three changes from the side that lost 1-0 at Stoke, relegating Anthony Pilkington
and Russell Martin to the bench, while January transfer signing Jonny Howson dropped out of the squad completely.

Martinez made two changes from the side that lost at home last week to Swansea, promoting Hugo Rodallega and Moses from the Subs bench, at the expense of Connor Sammon and Franco Di Santo.

The Latics kicked off and were the first to create an opening with Rodallega's glancing header just wide of John Ruddy's left-hand post.

This was followed by a sustained period where City played Wigan at their own passing game, retaining possession and produced some patient build-up play, keeping Wigan pegged back in their half. It ended with both Grant Holt and Simeon Jackson putting the Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi under pressure, resulting in him slicing his clearance out for a throw in.

Quick thinking from Adam Drury found Jackson, who drifted wide before delivering a cross that Hoolahan volleyed into the net over the keeper's despairing dive.

Having taken the lead the Canaries looked content to sit on that slender lead and keep possession. They did have further chances to extend their lead but Jackson in the 21st minute, having setup his side's opener, this time was selfish and went for goal. Sadly his low shot was wide without even testing the keeper, with striking partner Holt clearly unimpressed as he was unmarked on the left of the area.

Wigan did get behind City's defence, with Moses getting to the byline before delivering the ball into the area. Rodallega received the ball and from 8yds out, turned and shot low, which Ruddy was more than equal to, getting down very quickly to smother.

As the first half was drawing to a close, Wigan came more into game. Jordi Gomez tried his luck from well outside the area and although Ruddy saved the shot Moses was quickest to react to the lose ball. Fortunately for the home side, he lifted his shot from the tightest of angles over the bar.

HALF-TIME: City 1 Wigan 0

No doubt lifted by what their manager said at half-time, Wigan continued in the second half where they'd left off before the break.

First Moses again reacted quickest after Ruddy had spilled a shot, but the keeper claimed it at the second attempt. Then the City keeper was again called into action blocking James McCarthy's shot after he'd ran straight at & through the Canaries defence.

In between for the home side, Adam Drury had crossed from the left perfectly finding Holt, who with the keeper beaten, could only look on in disbelief as his effort was just wide.

That was to be City's leading scorer's last involvement as he left to a standing ovation as Lambert decided it was time for a change with Steve Morison coming on in the 59th minute.

The Welsh striker nearly had an instantous impact, for he got behind the latics defence and cutback the ball for Jackson, but the Canadian's shot was bravely blocked by Antolin Alcarez.

The City boss wanted to have one last throw of the dice and make a double substitution, but before he could Wigan scored the equaliser they had been threatening. Moses once again made use of his blistering pace to get between and past Elliott Ward and Zak Whitbread, leaving him just Ruddy to beat. The midfielder sold Ruddy a dummy, rounded him before coolly sliding the ball into the empty net.

Elliott Bennett and Anthony Pilkington were then introduced to give the home side some width as Lambert switched from the diamond formation, withdrawing the largely ineffective Andrew Crofts and Andrew Surman.

In the closing stages both Morison and Whitbread fired in powerful headers but both were just the wrong side of the woodwork.

There was a huge let off for City in the 85th minute when substitute Shaun Maloney got to the byline before crossing to the in rushing Mohamed Diame, but with the goal at his mercy the Senegalese contrived to put his shot over the bar.

Then with just two minutes of normal time remaining Morison must have thought he'd produced the winning goal. From Pilkington's cross he struck a volley that looked destined for the top corner, only for Al Habsi to produce a stunning dive repelling the ball with his arm.

Even with five minutes of added time, the Canaries were unable to conjure up any last minute magic this time and had to settle for the point. Despite the frustration shared by the fans and players alike, of not beating lowly Wigan, the Norfolk side are well placed to be in the Premiership next season, something that cannot be said for Wigan.

FULL-TIME: City 1 Wigan 1