Defences dominant at DW Stadium
Honours ended even at Wigan's DW Stadium as Uwe Rosler faced his former Brentford side for the first time since jumping ship midway through last term.
Rosler had suggested in the week that this one would be one for the attackers, predicting it could be a goal-fest with both sides going for the win.
But in the end it was defences who reigned supreme as both sides had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Brentford were probably the better side for the majority after seeing off an initial flurry from the home side, but striker Andre Gray was unable to make the most of a couple of great chances.
Wigan goalkeeper Scott Carson was also in great form, making several fine saves to keep the visitors at bay.
At the other end, James McClean had Wigan's best chance in the closing stages, but he could not keep his header from James Tavernier's cross down.
Wigan started the game on the front foot with McClean seeing plenty of the ball down the left. The winger showed his desire by flying in on Bees right-back Alan McCormack on halfway and winning the throw-in for his efforts - right under the nose of boss Rosler.
But Wigan were unable to make the most of their bright start, and the visitors gradually came into their own and began to boss proceedings.
Moses Odubajo saw a shot well saved at the post by Carson, who found himself caught in no-man's land moments later.
A long ball over the top found Jota, and the goalkeeper tried to come for the ball before slipping on the greasy surface.
Thankfully for Carson, Jota's shot was straight at him and he was able to recover and gather the ball.
Odubajo thought he was in again moments later, only for Carson to make a great save with the help of the post, and stand-in skipper Shaun Maloney to come up with two outstanding blocks - although the offside flag had long-since gone up.
Back came Wigan and McClean's cross hit Bees left-back Jake Bidwell and nearly embarrassed goalkeeper David Button, rolling out for a corner to the home side.
Wigan created a gilt-edged opportunity on the half-hour mark, when Maloney was played in by Oriol Riera and bore in on goal.
However, David Button stood up well and came up with a vital touch to Maloney's left-footed shot to send it round the post.
It was end to end at this point and the visitors wasted a great chance to nose in front when Gray raced on to a long ball, past Ivan Ramis, only to lob over Carson and on to the roof of the net.
Gray then volleyed wide from 10 yards after finding himself totally unmarked, and there was still time before the break for Callum McManaman to send in a wicked cross that Riera very nearly got on the end of.
McManaman started the second half in the same vein, although this time his pull-back from the byline evaded all his colleagues and was cleared by the defence.
A bout of handbags at dawn between Ramis and Brentford pair James Tarkowski and captain Tony Craig at a corner saw all three yellow-carded by referee Tony Harrington,
A double attacking change - Andy Delort and Marc-Antoine Fortune for Riera and McManaman - failed to energise Wigan, and Brentford continued to look dangerous themselves.
Alex Pritchard's strike from distance forced a good parry over by Carson, who then did even better to deny Jota with a superb tip round the post.
Jonathan Douglas fired into the side-netting when he ought to have tested the goalkeeper, although Wigan nearly won it at the death with a simple yet effective move.
Tavernier swung a delightful ball over from the right-hand side, and McClean stole a march on his marker as he attacked it from the opposite flank.
The connection was good, but unfortunately for Wigan the ball flew inches over the crossbar and into the stand behind the goal.
Source: PA
