Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was delighted to see Wigan's luck change with a bizarre goal in their 1-1 draw with Everton, even if it did not lead to the three points his team so desperately needed.

The Latics began the match hoping to end a five-match losing run and it looked like they were on course for only a fourth victory of the season when, with 14 minutes remaining, Phil Neville deflected Jean Beausejour's cross towards the arms of Tim Howard only for the ball to spin off the turf and into the net. But Everton substitute Victor Anichebe headed in the equaliser seven minutes later.

Martinez has frequently bemoaned his side's misfortune this season, and he said: "It was a welcome surprise."

He added: "In the second half we had that little bit of luck. We haven't had much luck this season and in the first half there were a couple of situations where you felt the ball was going to bounce into the striker instead of the centre-half but we didn't get that.

"I thought the break was what we deserved after the dominance we had and the attacking threat we showed, and the real intent to try to play our football in difficult conditions. At that time I thought it was the right reward and it looked like it was going to be our day, but unfortunately it wasn't."

The game was thoroughly forgettable until Howard's horror show, with both sides struggling to create chances or find any rhythm on a cold and wet afternoon.

Everton had looked a little flat after their efforts in beating Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City on Tuesday but they responded well to going behind and were level again soon.

Wigan could only clear a Leighton Baines corner straight back to the full-back and his cross was headed in by Anichebe, who had only been on the field for two minutes. Although they did not manage to hold on, Martinez felt his side's display was a real step up from defeats by QPR and Tottenham.

The Spaniard said: "We were never outplayed, we were never opened up, we had a few set-pieces to defend and it was unfortunate in the second phase of a dead-ball situation that they found the net.

"We know Everton do that regularly, it's one of their biggest strengths, but I thought we defended throughout the game really well and I was extremely pleased with the performance."