Max Power produced a super strike

A dominant first 45 minutes enabled Latics to record a comfortable 3-1 home win against Chesterfield at the DW Stadium.

A superb 25 yard strike by Max Power on six minutes set Wigan on their way and further first half goals by Reece James and Michael Jacobs reflected their dominance.

Latics had chances to extend their lead during the second half but it was the Spireites who pulled a late goal back on 79 minutes through Ollie Banks.

Wigan remain in fifth place in the League One table but they have reduced the gap on the teams above them and are now level points with fourth placed Coventry and three points behind third placed Gillingham.

Latics made two changes from the team which had drawn with Sheffield United, with Reece James, Jordy Hiwula and new signing Reece Webara coming into the team in place of Leon Barnett, Chris McCann and Will Grigg.

Latics picked up from from their first half performance against Sheffield United and attacked from the kick off.

They went ahead after only six minutes through a Max Power wonder strike.

The former Tranmere Rovers player picked up the ball in midfield after good work by Michael Jacobs, before hitting a shot from 25 yards that looped into the top right hand corner of the Chesterfield net.

Latics continued to go forward and Max Power twice tested the Spireites defence from distance, although both efforts were deflected away.

The visitors tried to respond with Jay O’Shea firing in a low effort on 21 minutes which Jaaskelainen pushed away into the six yard box and fortunately for Latics no Chesterfield player was on hand to finish.

Vuckic then went close for the home team. The Slovenian international received the ball in a good position in the area but was ultimately crowded out by the Chesterfield defence.

The visitors nearly drew level soon afterwards when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake surged forward and released Lee Novak. The former Huddersfield striker broke into the area but was denied by excellent goalkeeping from Jaaskelainen who dived at the feet of the onrushing forward to make the save.

Latics then practically sealed all three points with two goals in under two minutes.

The first came when Reece Wabara attacked down the right hand side before cutting the ball back to Reece James on the edge of the area and the former Manchester United player positioned himself before side footing the ball into the top left hand corner of the Spireites net.

The second came almost immediately from the re-start through Michael Jacobs. The winger broke free from the visitors defence and expertly chipped the ball over the advancing Tommy Lee in the Chesterfield goal.

Latics had dominated the opening half and should have been more than three ahead at the interval. Max Power, David Perkins and Michael Jacobs had all been outstanding for the home team.

They continued their onslaught of the Spireites goal at the opening of the second half.

Jacobs forced Lee into a low stop on 51 minutes and Power had an opportunity when Vuckic had set him up, but the midfielder fired straight at the Chesterfield keeper.

Jacobs was proving a constant threat and when he cut in from the left he had an opportunity to add to Latics’ tally, but he fired his effort straight at the keeper.

Chesterfield got a foothold in the game on 79 minutes when Ollie Banks scored after Jaaskelainen was unable to hold his low shot from the edge of the area.

The visitors pushed forward hoping to make a fight of it, but Gary Caldwell made tactical changes, introducing Craig Davies, Yanic Wildschut and reinforcing the midfield with Tim Chow, and Latics were able to dig in to secure another important victory in their push for promotion.