TONY PULIS believes that Stoke City's tremendous character and spirit stood up to one of its toughest tests as they battled back on two occasions to earn a 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic at the end of a difficult week.

City's boss was relieved in the end that his side emerged with a point from an action-packed game in which Tuncay's first goal for the Club and a close range header from defender Ryan Shawcross gave them a share of the spoils.

The Potters were also thankful for the fact that goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen made it five penalty saves out of six in the closing stages, denying Hugo Rodallega from the spot to ensure that Wigan didn't snatch a late winner.

"Nobody can ever doubt the spirit and commitment of the players at this Football Club and they showed that once again today," said Pulis.

"I thought it was set up nicely for us to go on and win the game in the second half, but then we got caught by a wonder strike out of the blue.

"It got a bit hairy in the closing stages, so we are happy to come away with a point even though I thought we were by far the better team."

He added: "The penalty was a poor decision because it was offside and the linesman had a clear view of that. Two wrongs don't make a right, but thank goodness for the fact that Thomas Sorensen came off his line to save the spot kick."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez argued that his side's late penalty should have been retaken after it was saved by Sorensen to deny the visitors a dramatic win.

"Sorensen was two yards off his line when he saved it, but there were a number of contentious decisions through an incident packed game," he said.

"We should have had a penalty in the first half when Scharner was held back in the area, but there was a suspicion of offside when we were awarded one."

He added: "I feel we should have won the game in the end, but it speaks volumes of the spirit and determination that we have produced a display like this.

"I am very, very pleased with the way they have reacted after recent results and we have certainly shown the right attitude to earn a point at a difficult place."

Wigan's Honduran international defender Maynor Figueroa admitted that his wonder goal which put the Latics 2-1 ahead in the 72nd minute was "one in a million".

And Martinez added: "It was something very special to beat a goalkeeper of Sorensen's stature from that distance. It's a shame it's not in a winning scoreline."