WHINNEY Hill took a share of the spoils in their opening match of the season but they should have had all three points in the bag.

After taking a first half pounding, Whinney Hill dominated the second half but just could not get the ball in the net. Wigan took an early lead through a stunning volley from Scot Gower who was the game's most influential player in the first 45 minutes. The powerful midfielder proved to be a real handful, barking orders and spraying balls around the pitch.

Whinney Hill found it hard to get out of their own half but their back four of Chris Grimshaw, Ian Radcliffe, Paul Jordan and Paul Todd worked hard to protect keeper Mick Dwyer.

The keeper was forced into two saves to deny Lee Butler and John Lightfoot.

However, once Mick France and Paul Edmundson began to get to grips with Gower in the middle of the park the balance of power began to shift.

Steve Grumshaw was first to test the keeper but his header from Radcliffe's deep cross lacked power. Whinney Hill showed their true intentions when Craig Dewhurst surged past three defenders and fed the overlapping Chris Grimshaw.

The full back's cross was partially cleared but France fired the ball wide.

But Whinney were soon level. Edmundson floated a free kick into the area which Adam Honeyman back-heeled into the path of Paul Grimshaw. His initial shot was blocked but Grumshaw was on hand to fire home the loose ball.

And they almost took a lead into the break with the move of the game.

Honeyman found Grimshaw in space in the middle of the park and the striker hooked a wonderful pass into the path of Dewhurst whose low drive was well saved by Jason Folds.

Whinney Hill carried that momentum into the second half and Honeyman just missed the target after another powerful run by Dewhurst.

Todd limped off injured and young Martin Parker was forced to play out of position in defence but took the role well although he was rarely put under pressure.

Grimshaw then found himself one-on-one with Folds but the keeper smothered the ball as he attempted to go round him.

Folds then pulled off a wonderful point blank save to deny Honeyman from close range.

Grimshaw and then Dewhurst both fired shots across the area while France wasted another chance with a wayward shot.

Whinney Hill introduced Craig Byrom up front and the striker hooked one difficult chance over the bar and forced Folds into a save after cutting in from the right.

But as Whinney Hill continued to spurn chance after chance they eventually had to settle for a point.

MATCH FACTS:

Whinney Hill 1 Wigan SMR 1 WHINNEY HILL (4-4-2) Manager: John Blackburn

Scorer: Steve Grumshaw (39)

Booked: Paul Todd, Craig Dewhurst

Subs: Martin Parker for Paul Todd (50), Craig Byrom for Steve Grumshaw (70) WIGAN SMR (4-4-2) Manager: Geoff Jones

Scorer: Scot Gower (11)

Booked: Scot Gower, Lee Butler

Subs: Lee Ashcroft, Carl Sweeney (not used) REFEREE: DAVE WOLFENDEN