Danny Simpson helped United to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat against a more experienced Wigan Athletic side.

The Reds full-back delivered a killer cross after a neat exchange with Chris Eagles wide on the right, and although it was deflected in by Latics defender Andreas Granqvist, Simpson was credited with the last-minute equaliser.

United were trailing 1-0 for the majority of the match to Julius Aghahowa's cool opener. The pacy striker needed just one touch to loft the ball over Tom Heaton, after lively Wigan midfielder Mahon dispossessed recent Reds arrival Rodrigo Possebon and floated a pass forward from the centre circle.

Wigan's goal, and a later move which ended in Eagles being thwarted by Wigan's former Man City goalkeeper Carlo Nash, were perhaps the best pieces of football in a first half spoiled by over-fussy refereeing. Four players were booked during the 45, including United defenders Michael Lea and Gerard Pique, both for fouls. The fifth and final yellow card was shown to Wigan's number four Figueroa six minutes from time.

After Aghahowa's opener, Heaton was otherwise unbeaten by the Latics as he celebrated his call-up to England's Under-21 squad with several fine saves, including one outstanding stop to deny Figueroa from close range.

Had that shot gone in, midway through the second half, then United would have surely suffered a second successive defeat in the Reserve League, following last week's 2-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers.