TONY PULIS couldn't hide his disappointment at Stoke City's failure to gain further reward right at the end of a memorable season . . . after Wigan Athletic claimed the victory secured their Premier League survival at the Britannia Stadium.
Pulis's side were looking to claim the victory that would have earned them a place in the top half of the table and bettered last season's tally of 47 points, but they dropped to 13th place in the end as the Latics pulled off their great escape.
Hugo Rodallega's 78th minute winner ended City's unbeaten run at home in 2011 and completed a frustrating final week of the campaign.
"I'm bitterly disappointed because to have finished in the top half of the table and bettered last season's points tally would have been a fitting way to finish what has been a fantastic season," commented Pulis after the 1-0 defeat.
"We started the game well and we were by far the better team. Wigan rode their luck with one or two generous decisions going their way.
"But in the second half, we played as if the game was already won and the first 20 minutes was as poor as we have played all season.
"Once they got their goal, we were chasing the game, but we never really looked like scoring in the closing stages of the match."
He added: "We desperately wanted to go out on a high because we have had a great season and there have been a lot of highs along the way.
"But it wasn't to be so we have to take this on the chin. We'll have a bit of a break but then start planning how we can move on again next season."
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was understandably elated that his side had managed to pull off the great escape with their final day triumph.
"It's a great feeling because we have been written off so many times over the course of this season," said the 37-year-old Spaniard. "But the players have shown great character and spirit to win two matches when we needed victories.
"In effect, we were down last week when we found ourselves 2-0 down to West Ham and again here today, it was our second half display that got us the result we so badlly needed after we were forced to defend for our lives in the first half.
"We knew we had to come here and try to hurt Stoke because of the situation we were in. As it was, a draw would have been enough to keep us up, but going into the final 15 minutes, that wasn't the case and it all changed so quickly."
