Blackburn Rovers were pegged back late on as they drew 1-1 at Wigan Athletic in their latest pre-season outing.

It was typical friendly fodder at the DW Stadium in a game that lacked tempo and intensity for large portions.

Without Sam Szmodics, Arnor Sigurdsson and Sam Gallagher, Rovers struggled to create many chances. Instead it was Wigan who looked the sharper early on.

Theo Aasgaard hit the bar when through, with Aynsley Pears already denying Chris Sze with a smart save. 

Rovers hit the woodwork themselves through Sondre Tronstad but it was otherwise a lacklustre affair.

They did take their first real sight of goal though, which looked to have earned them the win. Jack Vale was put through on goal and finished across the goalkeeper.

But Wigan levelled with ten minutes remaining, thanks to Aasgaard. His initial header was well kept out by Pears but the rebound dropped kindly and he made no mistake second time around.

Most of the pre-match headlines were dominated by who wasn't available for Rovers, rather than those in action. 

Szmodics was left out with speculation swirling over a move to Ipswich Town, whilst Gallagher and Sigurdsson were more surprising absentees from the squad. Georgie Gent wasn't involved either.

Therefore, it was a rather threadbare-looking team that took to the field, with Tom Bloxham starting on the left. Vale led the line with Tyrhys Dolan in-behind.

It was not a classic encounter and Rovers took a while to warm-up. Wigan looked the slicker of the two teams and fashioned the first opening.

A nice move from midfield saw the Latics work the ball down their right, with Dion Rakine pulling the ball back for Chris Sze but he was denied from close range by the foot of Pears. In truth, he should have scored.

Rovers improved after 20 minutes and began to play with more tempo and intensity. However, there as an obvious lack of cutting edge with three of their main attackers absent.

They were let off once again by wasteful finishing when Aasgaard went through on goal. Stones beat Hayden Carter in the air and the ball dropped to the attacker, who lifted the ball over Pears but onto the top of the crossbar.

Rovers' best opportunity came shortly after as they rattled the woodwork themselves. They won the ball high and Tronstad let fly from 20 yards; the ball hit goalkeeper Sam Tickle and ricocheted off the bar and to safety.

The second half started in the same vain as the first, slow and dull. Rovers didn't inject enough zip into their passing to cause any real issues to Wigan's shape, nor did they have any one-vs-one players who could open the game up.

Instead, the Latics again came mightily close. Silo Thomas' cross from the left was a peach and found the head of Smith but he diverted it wide of the post.

But Rovers made their Championship quality count as they took the lead. Rankin-Costello played it into the feet of Vale and he finished confidently across the goalkeeper with his first real sight of goal.

It looked like Blackburn might see the game out and take a narrow victory but instead, they were pegged back with 10 minutes remaining.

A cross from the Wigan left picked out Aasgaard, whose header was brilliantly saved by Pears but in vain as the rebound fell back to the forward to finish.

A sloppy goal to give away late on, with The Latics man afforded too much space inside the box.

That proved to be the last of the goal-mouth action, with Rovers drawing both weekend games one apiece. 

A productive fitness exercise for the squad but John Eustace's lack of resources were laid bare once again.