Wigan defender Will Aimson scores a late own goal against Blackpool.Rex Features

Will Aimson (right) turned in an equaliser after sustained late Blackpool pressure

Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport England

Blackpool ended a three-game losing streak as they scored in stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Wigan Athletic.

Dion Rankine put the Latics ahead with his first goal for the club before Matt Smith doubled the lead.

Shortly before the interval, Wigan's Jason Kerr turned the ball into his own net to give Blackpool hope.

It seemed as though the Seasiders - who were without manager Steve Bruce as he continues compassionate leave after the death of his grandson - would not find an equaliser.

But sustained late pressure finally told as former Blackpool defender Will Aimson turned Rob Apter's cross past his own keeper in the 92nd minute.

The draw moves Blackpool up to 16th place in League One while Wigan remain in 19th position, four points above the relegation zone.

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Dion Rankine (centre) celebrates scoring his first goal for Wigan since his summer arrival from Chelsea

Both sides made substantial changes - Blackpool brought in six players after their 5-1 loss at Peterborough while Wigan changed four of their side following a 2-1 home loss to struggling Shrewsbury Town last time out.

Wigan's Michael Olakigbe had a 15th-minute shot saved before Rankine gave the visitors the lead five minutes later - Thelo Aasgaard's cross from the byline found the former Chelsea youngster whose assured right-footed finish went under Richard O'Donnell.

The Latics could have been 2-0 up soon after when Smith fed the dangerous Olakigbe, but his effort was straight at O'Donnell before the home fans almost had something to cheer in the final 10 minutes of the half - first Elliot Embleton's swerving long-range strike whistled over the bar before Sam Tickle denied Kyle Joseph after an error by Aimson.

As Blackpool began to feel they were getting back in the game their hopes were snatched away when Smith dispossessed Lee Evans 30 yards out, drove to the edge of the box and fired a low right-footed effort into the bottom corner.

However, just when Wigan thought they would go into the break two goals up Blackpool stuck back - Evans made amends for his earlier error as his dangerous cross from the right was deflected home by Wigan defender Kerr.

Olakigbe should have made it 3-1 early in the second half when his close-range effort was saved by O'Donnell's legs while teammate Aasgaard had a goalbound strike blocked by Matthew Pennington.

Blackpool brought on experienced striker Jordan Rhodes as part of a host of attacking changes as Bruce's assistant Steve Agnew searched for an equaliser in the final quarter.

The former Scotland player came close to levelling five minutes from the end when a diving header was deflected wide after Wigan's Dale Taylor had headed a good chance over.

But the hosts continued to pile on the pressure as the game drew to a close and Taylor and Rhodes again went close before Aimson's own goal.

Blackpool felt they could have won it after appealing for a penalty a minute after levelling when Rhodes appeared to be wiped out by Wigan keeper Sam Tickle, but play was allowed to go on.

Blackpool assistant head coach Steve Agnew told BBC Radio Lancashire:

"Credit to the payers, they did keep battling.

"Although they were two own goals, we felt that at 2-0 down if we could score the next goal then it gave the players some belief at half-time.

"That goal came, and I thought we deserved it, but we showed tremendous character to get a late equaliser.

"I think it's a big point. We're off the back of these three defeats, which is disappointing, and we played with an energy and a togetherness and a spirit and a fighting mentality."

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney told BBC Radio Manchester:

"It definitely hurts right now.

"I think the biggest disappointment is that we could have killed that game early in the second half, and we didn't.

"I guess if you don't then you always leave yourself open to be punished and unfortunately we were."

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