Ollie Cooper’s first Wigan goal earns point at Mansfield

Wigan survived a late barrage from Mansfield to come away with a 1-1 draw from the One Call Stadium in League One.

Will Evans gave Mansfield a half-time lead but Ollie Cooper’s first goal for the Latics was ultimately enough to earn the visitors a point.

Wigan’s Fraser Murray fired wide from an 18th-minute free-kick while Nathan Moriah-Welsh shot just over the crossbar at the other end.

But Mansfield went ahead after 32 minutes. Moriah-Welsh crossed from the right and Evans took a touch before arrowing a superb low finish inside the right post from 15 yards.

Eight minutes after half-time Will Aimson thought he had equalised when he turned home a Murray corner from four yards, but celebrations were cut short as the referee had spotted a foul and it was ruled out.

However, Wigan’s powerful start to the second half was rewarded in the 59th minute as Morgan Fox found an unmarked Cooper in the box and the Swansea loanee finished low past Liam Roberts to level.

Home substitute Regan Hendry almost restored Mansfield’s lead when his deflected shot looped up and on to the far post.

And despite sustained late pressure from the Stags, Wigan held on desperately to draw.