Wigan manager Leam Richardson praised his side’s immense resilience after they earned a point against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon.
James McClean opened the scoring for the visitors in the 28th minute before Max Aarons equalised for the Canaries just after the hour mark.
Faced with an enormous defensive task to keep the hosts at bay throughout a challenging second period, Latics showed great grit, determination and character to return back to the North West with a point.
Kyle Dempsey’s first two goals in a Bolton Wanderers’ shirt provided the midfield man with a career high as he rolled back the years.
Dempsey hadn’t scored twice in a game since a double for Carlisle United in September, 2014.
But he was back to his best with classy finishes either side of half-time in an impressive 3-0 win over Wycombe which made it a memorable afternoon for the 26-year-old.
“It’s probably one of the most enjoyable ones I’ve had in my career,” said Dempsey.
Stockport’s inaugural away-trip of their League Two campaign saw them edged out by the odd goal in three at Stevenage, as well as finishing the match with 10 men after Ash Palmer was sent off for a second bookable challenge.
Chances were largely at a premium for close to an hour, before substitute Callum Camps gave County the lead – but, immediately following Palmer’s dismissal, the hosts hit back with a penalty with three minutes of the 90 remaining, and completed their late comeback with a goal towards the end of time added on.
Rochdale are also without a point after two games with Scott Kashket’s early first half goal securing the points for Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium.
“I’m really angry and disappointed with our performance, the first half in particular,” said manager Robbie Stockdale
“There are certain things that I ask of players and for me they are almost non-negotiable, and I thought Gillingham had more desire than us in the first half and that’s a really difficult thing for me to say, because this is a group of players that I’ve now brought into the building.
Salford City earned a point on the road at Swindon Town, but Head Coach Neil Wood agrees that it could have been all three.
The Ammies were up against 10 men for just over half of the game after Swindon’s Harry McKirdy picked up two first half bookings.
However they were thwarted by an inspired Sol Brynn, who put in a man of the match performance to keep a clean sheet with game ending 0-0.
The Middlesbrough loanee denied Theo Vassell, Ryan Watson and Callum Hendry with decent stops, while The Ammies couldn’t capitalise on a few other good positions that they managed to work.
In the National League,Oldham started the 2022-23 season with an away-day point and a clean sheet at Torquay in an action-packed contest.
Mike Fondop made a real impact off the bench and twice almost nicked what would have been the winner, while Hallam Hope had the pick of the other chances.
Torquay, who hit the crossbar in the opening minutes, were mostly kept at arm’s length following their early flurry, and Latics were largely comfortable even after Dan Gardner’s late dismissal for a second yellow card.
A combination of a battling display by the visitors, the woodwork and some key decisions going against Alty, saw Phil Parkinson’s men were left frustrated with a single point to show.
