Wigan 1-1 Bournemouth

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Euan O'Kane (l) celebrates with Marc PughImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Euan O'Kane (l) celebrates with Marc Pugh

A Jordi Gomez equaliser gave Wigan an FA Cup lifeline as the Premier League strugglers came from behind to draw with League One visitors Bournemouth.

Euan O'Kane's brilliant strike from outside the box gave Bournemouth a surprise lead and hope of an upset.

Debutant Angelo Henriquez and Maynor Figueroa hit the bar in the second half as Wigan searched for the equaliser.

It came on 70 minutes when Gomez followed up his missed penalty to score from the rebound and secure a replay.

Wigan, knocked out in the third round last season by League Two side Swindon, were again facing the prospect of an early exit when the visitors led at the break.

Bournemouth, now unbeaten in 17 matches, were more than a match for a team which had failed to progress beyond the third round in six of the last 10 years.

The hosts were unrecognisable from the side which suffered a 4-0 loss to Manchester United on New Year's Day, with manager Roberto Martinez making nine changes.

The selection of veteran goalkeeper Mike Pollitt for the first time since last February was the most notable inclusion.

Both goalkeepers were largely spectators until Pollitt was beaten when Emmerson Boyce gave O'Kane the space to score with a shot from outside the box.

Pollitt, at 40 years and 11 months, is now the second oldest player in the club's history, but even a younger man could have done little to prevent O'Kane's opener.

Unsurprisingly, Martinez changed personnel during half-time, handing a debut to on-loan Manchester United striker Henriquez.

Teenager Henriquez nearly made an immediate impact, heading against the crossbar from a David Jones free-kick seven minutes after the break.

Bournemouth continued to advance forward, with Northern Ireland forward Josh McQuoid firing high from distance.

The crossbar was as much an obstacle for Wigan as the Bournemouth defenders with Figueroa, from 30 yards, the second home player to rattle the woodwork.

Wigan were in the ascendency and were awarded a penalty when Simon Francis felled Figueroa inside the six-yard box.

Shwan Jalal saved Gomez's effort from the spot but could to little to prevent the Spaniard tapping into an empty net from the rebound.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez:

"I do show the FA Cup respect. There are youngsters here I feel have a bright future, but we will never accelerate their development unless we play them in these competitions.

"That is what we have to do at this club. I don't just want to win games in the short term. The first team has to be part of a learning process. Fighting relegation is not an environment for youngsters to show what they can do.

"I was very pleased with Roman Golobart and it was a perfect platform for Angelo Henriquez to make his debut. We have spent a lot of money to build a facility that will develop young players, now we need to be brave enough to give them opportunities."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe:

Media caption,

Draw leaves Howe full of pride

"Their penalty was disappointing. It was one of those 50-50 decisions and unfortunately it went against us.

"We will have the crowd with us [for the replay] and it will be a good occasion, so we will certainly look forward to it.

"But Wigan have top quality players and a big squad so they are still favourites."

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