QPR 1 Wigan 1: It’s a great point for us, admits Roberto Martínez

Roberto Martinez hailed Wigan Athletic’s character after the Latics levelled in stoppage time to secure a “great point” against 10-man Queens Park Rangers.

Bobby Zamora’s early sending off for a high tackle on Jordi Gomez appeared to galvanise the Hoops, who looked dangerous going forward through Andros Townsend.

Loic Remy glanced a header narrowly wide before netting a sensational opener in the 85th minute, side-footing a finish past Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles Blázquez.

However, QPR were denied a much-needed victory when Shaun Maloney fired a free-kick past Julio Cesar in the fifth minute of stoppage time, moving Wigan level on points with 17th-placed Sunderland.

“It’s a great point,” Martínez told Sky Sports.

“We were 1-0 down and a late goal like that is a point gained – there’s no two ways about it.

“Overall, we were very poor. It was our worst performance of the season. We were cagey and the sending off went against us.

“We’re a team that enjoys having the ball and opening the team up. It was a hard task.”

Martínez also backed referee Phil Dowd’s decision to issue Zamora with a red card for his reckless tackle in the first half.

“It’s an horrific challenge,” he added.

“I know Bobby Zamora isn’t a dirty player at all but Gomez is very fortunate. The full sole of the boot is in his face. It could have been a major injury.

“It was the right decision.”