Wigan Athletic 0-0 Preston North End: Latics held by 10-men visitors
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Ched Evans was sent off by referee Bobby Madley with 10 minutes to go
Wigan Athletic were held to a goalless draw on their return to the Championship by 10-man Preston North End, who had Ched Evans sent-off late on.
Leam Richardson will be happy to get the Latics off the mark, notably against a North End side who had made eye-catching recruitment under boss Ryan Lowe this summer.
Neither side was able to find a breakthrough during an at-times feisty affair, with goalkeepers and defences to the fore.
Last season's top-scorer for Wigan, Will Keane, had chances to give the home side the lead, but was unable to find the back of the net thanks to Preston keeper Freddie Woodman's efforts, while Josh Magennis could not guide his header on target.
Ben Amos made a superb double save to deny Troy Parrott and then Emil Riis towards the end of the opening 45 minutes, as Preston pushed themselves.
Evans' dismissal for a late challenge on Curtis Tilt gave Wigan the impetus to push late on, but the flurry failed to produce a decider.
Last season's League One champions Wigan have bounced between the Championship and the third tier in recent seasons, but this performance will have given their busy and enthusiastic crowd reasons for optimism.
They overcame the loss of Jack Watmough following a heavy challenge in the first half, looked solid at the back and going forward, with skipper Tendayi Darikwa involved in much of their best work.
Lowe's Lilywhites gave debuts to Tottenham loanee Parrott, who showed signs of a developing partnership with Riis, Ben Woodburn, and Manchester United's Alvaro Fernandez, but were unable to open up their opponents for a crucial goal.
Wigan boss Leam Richardson told BBC Radio Manchester:
"A feisty derby? I'd echo that. I think it was everything you expected, fantastic for the fans, for a derby on the first game of the season.
"The pace of the game was excellent. Every player who stepped on the pitch gave a good account of themselves and so did the fans as well.
"Sometimes the sending off doesn't help. I felt the first half it was toing and froing, they probably shaded it. The second-half we grew into it a bit more, but with the sending off they're able to drop 10 yards deeper.
"On reflection, a clean sheet, first game back into the Championship. These lads have done great."
Preston boss Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"We could be better, I thought we had some good moments and patterns of play, and got some great opportunities, we could have scored a couple of goals.
"But ultimately Wigan as well put their body on the line for the cause and had some moments of play and good things from them.
"It was two teams definitely trying to win the game and get three points at either end but more importantly I'm pleased with the reaction when we went down to 10 men. The back lads were resilient."