YORK, United Kingdom (Interstat) — Wigan U21 took a two-goal lead behind Cole Simms but could not hold it, as Hull U21 scored twice late to earn a 2-2 draw Tuesday at LNER Community Stadium. Hull U21 was the home team, and Wigan U21 was the visiting side for a match played in York, United Kingdom. Simms scored in the 25th and 42nd minutes, giving Wigan control before Hull answered with a goal in the 73rd minute and an equalizer in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. The draw ended a tense contest in which Wigan led for much of the match but failed to close out the result.

Wigan opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Simms found the net. The visitors doubled their advantage in the 42nd minute when Simms scored again. Wigan went into halftime with a 2-0 lead and had managed the first half well enough to keep Hull at bay. Hull’s attempts to respond before the break did not produce a goal, and Wigan carried its advantage into the second half. The first half belonged to Wigan, with Simms providing the finishing touch on both goals.

After halftime, Hull U21 began to push more players forward and finally pulled one back in the 73rd minute. The goal gave the home side renewed energy and changed the flow of the match. Wigan tried to slow the pace and protect its lead, but Hull continued to create pressure and found a second goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. The late strike completed the comeback and left Wigan with only a draw. Hull’s two goals came after Wigan had controlled the opening period, and the home side finished the stronger of the two teams.

The goals came in order: Simms in the 25th minute, Simms in the 42nd minute, Hull U21 in the 73rd minute, and Hull U21 in the third minute of second-half stoppage time. Wigan led 2-0 at halftime before Hull scored twice after the break. The match finished level at 2-2, with each side scoring two goals total.

The result moved Wigan U21’s record in this competition to 1-0-1. Hull U21’s record in this competition is now 0-1-1. Across all competitions, Wigan U21 is now 1-0-1, while Hull U21 is 1-1-2. Wigan remained unbeaten in the competition, while Hull picked up its first draw in the competition after starting with a loss.

Wigan entered the match after a 2-1 win over Huddersfield U21 in its previous competition fixture. Hull had lost 2-1 to Bolton U21, drawn 1-1 with Bentford U21 and beaten Derby County FC 4-1 in earlier matches this season. Those results gave both sides different form lines heading into the game, and the match produced another close result.

Simms was the central figure for Wigan, scoring both of his team’s goals. His first-half brace gave Wigan a cushion that held until the latter stages. Hull’s comeback, however, ensured the home side took something from the match after trailing by two goals. Wigan finished with two goals for the second time in the competition, while Hull added another draw to its season record.

Hull is next scheduled to host Wycombe U21 in Premier League Cup play. After that, Hull is set to host Derby County FC, visit Bentford U21 and travel to Wycombe U21. Wigan will look to build on a performance that produced two goals but not the win. The draw added another tight result to Hull’s early-season run, while Wigan remained unbeaten in the competition.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Hull U21 2, Wigan U21 2. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Hull U21 with a 72 percent probability to win.