Last gasp equaliser denies 'magnificent' Latics as three make club bows

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
Granqvist OG
LATICS 1
Aghahowa

A last gasp equaliser took the sheen off an otherwise excellent display by Keith Bertschin's men at the Victoria Ground, Northwich, which saw debuts in a Latics shirt for Sweden international ERIK EDMAN, Norwegian international ERIK HAGEN and Honduras international MAYNOR FIGUEROA.

Julius Aghahowa was a constant threat up front and was rewarded with a goal when he latched onto a through ball from Tomasz Cywka to open the scoring.

Latics had chances to make the game safe, but with virtually the last kick of the match a cross bobbled up and hit Andreas Granqvist on the shin and deflected in past the otherwise untroubled Carlo Nash.

Bertschin said: "It was unfortunate because the boys did excellently and it shows you that even at this level, you have to take your chances. I was really pleased with them tonight, to a man they gave me everything and I was particularly pleased for the younger players who more than matched the standards required."

Erik Edman played the first 45 minutes before being replaced by Peter Moore and looked in total control. Erik Hagen and Maynor Figueroa both also looked very assured at the back, Figueroa moved to left back in the second half having played the first in the middle. Granqvist had begun the match at right back, showing his versatility.

LATICS - 4-3-3
Nash; Granqvist , Figueroa, Hagen, Edman (Moore 46); Kupisz, Montrose, Cywka; Bouaouzan Aghahowa, Mahon
Subs not used: Saunders, Ashworth, McArdle, McCaughtrie.