Latics fan Jordan Flores scored on his full debut

In a fixture between two towns renowned for famous confectionary it was the Uncle Joe’s of Wigan who came out on top against the Fisherman’s Friends from Fleetwood.

Latics dominated the first half and should have been more than 1-0 ahead at the interval after local boy Jordan Flores had given them the lead on his full debut.

Wigan doubled their lead through Michael Jacobs just after the restart but Fleetwood pulled a goal back through Tyler Hornby-Forbes on 61 minutes.

Despite Latics having plenty of chances to seal the points they ended the game defending nervously but held on to collect the three points which moved them up to seventh in the league table.

Gary Caldwell had to make a number of changes to the team beaten at Port Vale due to injuries and suspensions. Jordan Flores replaced the injured Haris Vuckic. Max Power returned in place of the suspended Leon Barnett, whilst injuries to strikers Will Grigg and Craig Davies meant loanee Jordy Hiwula was given his first start for the club.

Latics started positively, moving the ball around to good effect and they nearly went in front on fifteen minutes. Jason Pearce shooting just wide from Reece James’ corner.

Wigan should have had a penalty five minutes later after a Fleetwood player handled the ball in the area but the referee Fred Graham ignored the appeals.

On 23 minutes the fans rose for a minute’s applause in honour of Latics defender Juan Carlos Garcia who is battling Leukaemia.

Jordy Hiwula might have given Wigan the lead when he had a couple of good opportunities.

In the 28th minute Reece James whipped the ball into Hiwula but the Huddersfield Town loanee couldn’t quite manage to get in a shot from a good position.

Two minutes later Hiwula met Jonjoe Kenny’s cross from the right but he miskicked his shot and the ball went wide of Maxwell’s goal.

But in the 39th minute Wigan went ahead through season ticket holder Jordan Flores on his full home debut.

Jacobs crossed from the right hand side and the ball was cleared only as far as Flores who delightfully smashed the ball home with a left foot volley.

Latics had dominated the opening half and created numerous chances but they went into the break only one goal to the good.

But right at the beginning of the second half they doubled their lead. Reece James cut the ball back from the goal line to Jacobs, who side footed the ball home from about eight yards out.

It appeared as though Latics would go on to score a hatful but Fleetwood gradually clawed themselves back into the game.

Fleetwood manager Graham Alexander made a double substitution on 55 minutes introducing Haughton for Jónsson and former Latics trialist David Ball for Matt, and the move had a positive effect for the away team.

On 61 minutes Antoni Sarcevic’s free kick deflected off the Wigan defensive wall and the ball fell into the path of Tyler Hornby-Forbes, who volleyed the ball home from inside the six yard box.

Latics were running out of steam and retreated into defence. The home fans became increasingly nervous when on 70 minutes Jamie Proctor headed just over the Wigan crossbar.

Substitute Sanmi Odelusi might have relieved the tension when he was clear on goal after a long clearance from David Perkins, but he fluffed his lines and his wayward shot nearly hit the corner flag.

With 90 minutes on the clock referee Graham added six minutes of injury time. Fleetwood had one last chance and they almost drew level when David Ball fired against the outside of the post following a goalmouth scramble.

Latics had dominated the first hour of the game but they were ultimately relieved to hold out and record an important third win in four league games.