Wigan 1 Fulham 1: Emile Heskey completed his swift return from international redemption to the harsh reality of domestic life as Wigan and Fulham played out a scrappy JJB Stadium draw.

Heskey limped off with an apparent ankle injury after just nine minutes of a match which saw Jason Koumas' late penalty cancel out Clint Dempsey's opener for the visitors.

It was dreadful luck for Heskey, who had been given a rousing reception from both sets of supporters for his recent England exploits during the warm-up.

But he will have been heartened by the way his side finished the match with Paul Scharner and Julius Aghahowa both missing chances to steal the points late on.

Wigan had only briefly looked like a side defending a 100 per cent home record against opposition who were yet to glean a single point from their travels this season.

Wigan were far too wasteful in possession. Lawrie Sanchez's men had fewer chances but seemed more determined to make them count with Hameur Bouazza particularly impressive.

Referee Rob Styles infuriated the home fans by awarding a questionable free-kick to the visitors deep in their own half in the 11th minute. And that anger increased seconds later when Dempsey finished off a swift attacking move by wriggling onto the end of a Diomansy Kamara cross in the Wigan box and firing home the opener.

Kirkland was a busy man after the break, parrying another Davies free-kick then performing a fine reflex save after Aaron Hughes fired in the rebound.

The goalkeeper saved the Latics again in the 56th minute when Dempsey surged into the home half, playing a neat one-two with Kamara, but seeing his shot blocked by the onrushing keeper.

Wigan responded through Koumas, who turned Chris Baird and drilled a low shot just wide in the 63rd minute, and Sibierski, whose ambitious overhead kick came to nothing.

When Wigan substitute Josip Skoko wriggled into a good position in the box before shooting tamely at Niemi in the 71st minute, it was a move which seemed to sum up the home side's day.

Fortunately for them, a sustained spell of pressure ended with Bouazza being hauled down by Melchiot, allowing Koumas to salvage their unbeaten home record.

And it might have been even better two minutes from time when Emmerson Boyce flung in a cross from the left and Paul Scharner's flicked effort from point-blank range was held on the line by Niemi.