McCarthy - Cut out the fear

The Premier League's basement dwellers were on the verge of tasting victory for the first time in 10 games after Phil Neville scored an own goal in the final quarter of the game.

Yet, as the enormity of claiming what would have been a crucial win started to dawn on them, their nerves began to jangle and Victor Anichebe notched an equaliser for the Toffees.

It was a result that gave a lacerating blow to the Latics' hopes of preserving their top-flight status, and they are now five points adrift of safety.

Disappointed

"We're obviously disappointed in there - to be ahead going into the last 10 minutes and not win the game is very frustrating," McCarthy told the Evening Post.

"We got the goal I felt we deserved, but maybe we got a little nervous towards the end and it was disappointing to concede from a set-piece.

"We had a decent shout for a penalty at the end, but the referee thought otherwise and it's just not going for us at the moment."

He added: "It could be a big point for us, but the over-riding feeling is of disappointment because we put ourselves in a winning position.

"It's gone now, though, and we need to look at next week's game at Bolton to try to put it right."