Queens Park Rangers set a new record for the longest winless start to a Premier League season after James McCarthy rescued Wigan.

McCarthy fired the Latics ahead following a disputed corner, the Republic of Ireland international's shot deflecting off Jamie Mackie.

Redknapp praises QPR player effort

Ryan Nelsen headed the Hoops level before Djibril Cisse put Harry Redknapp within sight of his first QPR win.

But poor defending allowed McCarthy to equalise after Jean Beausejour's pass.

Redknapp has drawn all three games since taking charge of the Premier League's bottom club, who are still without a win after 16 games.

Swindon Town previously held the longest winless start and went on to be relegated in 1993-94.

A hard-earned point at Wigan is no mean feat particularly as West Ham United and Reading have both suffered defeat at the DW Stadium this season.

But Redknapp will have targeted three points from this game and knows time is against him, QPR are now eight points from safety with 22 games remaining.

Wigan could not have wished for a better start, McCarthy opening the scoring in the 19th minute moments after David Jones's clever free-kick from 20 yards had been tipped over by Robert Green.

Image of Nigel Adderley Nigel Adderley Match of the Day commentator

"Mixed emotions for Queens Park Rangers, but Harry Redknapp knows his side must start winning soon if they are to climb away from trouble. Djibril Cisse's goal put them within sight of a first win this season only for poor defending to allow Wigan back in."

Republic of Ireland international McCarthy had not found the net since February 2011.

But the midfielder's beautifully struck first-time shot from just inside the area, after QPR had failed to deal with a disputed corner by Beausejour, gave Green no chance after taking a slight deflection off Mackie.

The visitors argued that the corner should not have been awarded, claiming that the ball came off a Latics player.

But their mood quickly changed when another corner led to Nelsen rewarding the hundreds of fans who made the long trek from London with a 26th-minute equaliser.

Roberto Martinez was without four defenders due to injury and suspension, but the Wigan manager will have been upset that Nelsen was allowed to head the ball beyond Ali Al Habsi after shrugging off his marker Adrian Lopez.

Martinez bemoans conceded goals

Quality was at a premium in a match played out in miserable conditions, Franco Di Santo's miss after Clint Hill's first-half mistake typical in what was an error-strewn contest.

Green produced fine saves to deny the busy McCarthy, Jones and Jordi Gomez before the latter struck the underside of the bar during a sustained spell of second-half Wigan pressure.

But the visitors took the lead against the run of play when substitute Cisse fired his side ahead 13 minutes after coming on.

The former Liverpool player produced a fine 71st minute finish after Lopez's error allowed Shaun Wright-Phillips to craft an opening for Cisse.

But QPR's lead lasted less than three minutes, McCarthy firing through a sea of legs following Beausejour's delivery to deny Redknapp victory and QPR a first away win since November 2011.

Lineup, Bookings (1) & Substitutions (5)

Wigan Athletic

  • 26 Al Habsi
  • 17 Boyce
  • 23 Stam
  • 24 Lopez
  • 04 McCarthy
  • 06 Jones (Maloney - 76' )
  • 14 Gomez
  • 16 McArthur
  • 22 Beausejour
  • 02 Kone
  • 09 Di Santo (Boselli - 85' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Pollitt
  • 25 Golobart
  • 10 Maloney
  • 20 Fyvie
  • 28 Redmond
  • 15 McManaman
  • 19 Boselli

Queens Park Rangers

  • 01 Green
  • 03 Traore
  • 06 Hill
  • 17 Nelsen
  • 19 Bosingwa (Fabio - 84' )
  • 02 Diakite (Granero - 77' )
  • 04 Derry
  • 10 Taarabt Booked (Cisse - 58' )
  • 11 Wright-Phillips
  • 40 M'bia
  • 12 Mackie

Substitutes

  • 26 Murphy
  • 05 Ferdinand
  • 20 Fabio
  • 14 Granero
  • 32 Faurlin
  • 09 Cisse
  • 23 Hoilett
Ref: Dowd
Att: 17,163

Match Stats

Shots

14 8

On target

9 4

Corners

11 4

Fouls

7 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:37 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +3:57

Shaun Maloney takes the inswinging corner, Ryan Nelsen manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +2:25

Header on goal by Jamie Mackie from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

90:00 +1:46

Esteban Granero takes a outswinging corner.

90:00 +1:05

The referee blows for offside. Rob Green takes the free kick.

88:38

Esteban Granero takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, James McArthur makes a clearance.

87:20

Mauro Boselli gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Clint Hill. Free kick taken by Rob Green.

86:06

Mauro Boselli takes a shot. Save by Rob Green. The official flags Jordi Gomez offside. Rob Green takes the indirect free kick.

84:34 Substitution

Substitution Franco Di Santo leaves the field to be replaced by Mauro Boselli.

83:57 Substitution

Substitution Fabio Da Silva is brought on as a substitute for Jose Bosingwa.

76:50

Rob Green takes the free kick.

76:20 Substitution

Substitution Esteban Granero replaces Samba Diakite.

75:34 Substitution

Substitution David Jones leaves the field to be replaced by Shaun Maloney.

75:34

The assistant referee signals for offside against Arouna Kone.

73:21

Assist by Jean Beausejour.

73:21 Goal scored

Goal - James McCarthy - Wigan 2 - 2 QPR James McCarthy scores a goal from deep inside the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Wigan 2-2 QPR.

72:11

Ryan Nelsen challenges Franco Di Santo unfairly and gives away a free kick. James McCarthy takes the free kick.

70:50

Assist on the goal came from Shaun Wright-Phillips.

70:50 Goal scored

Goal - Djibril Cisse - Wigan 1 - 2 QPR Djibril Cisse gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Wigan 1-2 QPR.

68:51

Jose Bosingwa sends in a cross, Adrian Lopez manages to make a clearance.

67:40

Stephane Mbia takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Shaun Wright-Phillips, Arouna Kone manages to make a clearance.

66:27

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan Nelsen by James McArthur. Ryan Nelsen takes the direct free kick.

63:37

Corner taken left-footed by Jean Beausejour from the left by-line, Armand Traore makes a clearance.

62:57

Inswinging corner taken by David Jones from the right by-line, save by Rob Green.

62:35

A cross is delivered by Ronnie Stam, clearance by Clint Hill. Corner taken short by Ronnie Stam.

61:55

The assistant referee signals for offside against Djibril Cisse. Adrian Lopez takes the free kick.

60:48

Arouna Kone is caught offside. Rob Green restarts play with the free kick.

58:20

James McCarthy produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.

57:32 Substitution

Substitution Djibril Cisse on for Adel Taarabt.

57:13

The ball is crossed by Jean Beausejour, clearance by Clint Hill.

56:57

Short corner taken by Jean Beausejour from the left by-line.

55:53

Shot by Jordi Gomez.

55:34

David Jones takes a shot. Save by Rob Green.

55:05

Corner taken left-footed by Jean Beausejour, clearance made by Adel Taarabt.

54:07

Jordi Gomez takes a shot. Save made by Rob Green. Inswinging corner taken by David Jones from the right by-line, save by Rob Green. Jordi Gomez takes a shot. Blocked by Shaun Derry.

51:54

Unfair challenge on James McCarthy by Stephane Mbia results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Emmerson Boyce.

50:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Shaun Wright-Phillips on Franco Di Santo. Franco Di Santo takes the direct free kick.

49:18

James McCarthy takes a shot. Rob Green gets a block in.

48:26

Adel Taarabt produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.

48:01

The ball is swung over by Samba Diakite.

47:37

Franco Di Santo concedes a free kick for a foul on Jose Bosingwa. Jose Bosingwa restarts play with the free kick.

46:44

Adrian Lopez fouled by Jamie Mackie, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David Jones.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +2:27 Half time

Half Time It is the end of the first-half.

45:00 +1:50

Jordi Gomez takes the direct free kick.

45:00 +1:50 Booking

Booking Adel Taarabt receives a caution.

45:00 +1:45

Unfair challenge on Ronnie Stam by Adel Taarabt results in a free kick.

45:00 +0:32

Shaun Wright-Phillips has an effort at goal from the edge of the area that misses to the right of the target.

44:19

Shot from just outside the box by Arouna Kone misses to the right of the target.

43:03

Short corner taken by Ronnie Stam.

42:12

Foul by Ryan Nelsen on Franco Di Santo, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Jean Beausejour, clearance by Clint Hill.

40:56

Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Jamie Mackie misses to the right of the target.

39:36

Centre by Jose Bosingwa.

38:31

Shot from just outside the area by Franco Di Santo goes over the bar.

35:55

Jamie Mackie fouled by David Jones, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Bosingwa.

33:52

Handball decision goes against Adel Taarabt. Jordi Gomez produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

31:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Franco Di Santo by Shaun Derry. David Jones takes the direct free kick.

31:05

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Rob Green by Jean Beausejour. Free kick taken by Rob Green.

28:01

The ball is crossed by Ronnie Stam, Shot from 6 yards from Franco Di Santo. Save by Rob Green.

27:22

Jean Beausejour concedes a free kick for a foul on Samba Diakite. Direct free kick taken by Jose Bosingwa.

26:44

The assistant referee flags for offside against Jamie Mackie. Free kick taken by David Jones.

18:38 Goal scored

Goal - James McCarthy - Wigan 1 - 0 QPR James McCarthy gets on the score sheet with a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Wigan 1-0 QPR.

16:54

Jean Beausejour fouled by Jose Bosingwa, the ref awards a free kick. Jordi Gomez takes the free kick. Shot from 25 yards by David Jones. Save made by Rob Green. Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Jean Beausejour. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Jean Beausejour, clearance by Jamie Mackie.

25:05

Assist by Adel Taarabt.

25:05 Goal scored

Goal - Ryan Nelsen - Wigan 1 - 1 QPR Ryan Nelsen finds the back of the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty box. Wigan 1-1 QPR.

24:38

Inswinging corner taken by Adel Taarabt from the left by-line,

23:12

Armand Traore gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emmerson Boyce. Adrian Lopez takes the free kick.

18:38

Jean Beausejour provided the assist for the goal.

18:38 Goal scored

Goal - James McCarthy - Wigan 1 - 0 QPR James McCarthy finds the back of the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Wigan 1-0 QPR.

16:54

Jose Bosingwa challenges Jean Beausejour unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jordi Gomez. Effort from 25 yards by David Jones. Rob Green makes a save. Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Jean Beausejour. Inswinging corner taken by Jean Beausejour from the left by-line, Jamie Mackie makes a clearance.

15:49

Jean Beausejour takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Jose Bosingwa.

15:03

Franco Di Santo produces a cross, Ryan Nelsen makes a clearance.

14:05

Foul by Arouna Kone on Clint Hill, free kick awarded. Armand Traore takes the direct free kick.

12:36

The official flags Shaun Wright-Phillips offside. Ali Al Habsi restarts play with the free kick.

10:43

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James McCarthy by Jamie Mackie. Direct free kick taken by Emmerson Boyce.

9:46

The referee gives a free kick against Jordi Gomez for handball. Free kick taken by Rob Green.

8:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Adrian Lopez by Stephane Mbia. Free kick taken by Adrian Lopez.

7:34

The ball is sent over by Jean Beausejour, Rob Green makes a comfortable save.

6:48

The ball is crossed by Samba Diakite, Adrian Lopez makes a clearance.

6:06

Adel Taarabt produces a cross, Ali Al Habsi makes a comfortable save.

3:52

Adel Taarabt takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a comfortable save.

3:32

The ball is delivered by Shaun Wright-Phillips, save by Ali Al Habsi.

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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