WIGAN ATHLETIC manager Roberto Martinez was sure to be in less generous mood after the game.

Prior to kick-off with Everton on Saturday, the Spaniard hailed the run of the form David Moyes’ men had strung together in recent weeks but promptly watched his side help the visitors extend it by gift wrapping them a share of the spoils.

David Moyes’ men played without the intensity and cohesion which has defined their ascent to seventh in the Premier League table and relied upon Wigan being obliging hosts.

At the second time of asking, Everton accepted the invitation for an undeserved draw when Leighton Baines succeeded where Mikel Arteta failed before him by converting from the penalty spot deep in the second half.

Martinez also used his programme notes to warn Wigan of the visitors’ “competitive edge” – their default mode in recent years - but Everton will admit such desire only stirred after the break when the extent of such a poor first half was no doubt explained to them.

Talk of players cruising towards the end of the season is understandable given such a lethargic display the DW Stadium, but the notion such an attitude would be tolerated by Moyes is far fetched.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard – playing his 300th game in the English league on Saturday – certainly provided a counter to that argument as he so often provided a final wall of resistance at the weekend as a high-tempo Wigan found opportunities to shoot with increasing regularity.

Given they find themselves embroiled in a battle to avoid demotion, Wigan’s level of hunger was expected and for Everton – without a great deal left to play for – the task was always going to be a difficult one to match but the away contingent will still have anticipated far more. With Wigan’s desperation for points and the Latics always likely to play with am increasing level of abandon, Moyes set Everton up to be tough to beat.