Yanic Wildschut’s two goals were not enough to save Wigan. Photograph courtesy of Wigan Athletic

Latics were left scratching their heads after they slipped to another defeat despite dominating for long periods against Ipswich at a fogbound DW Stadium.

Referee Keith Stroud gave the Tractor Boys an early Christmas present as he awarded a penalty for a fair challenge by Dan Burn on Tom Lawrence which was clearly outside the penalty area. Brett Pitman duly converted the spot kick in front of an incredulous home crowd.

Latics were on level terms on 35 minutes when Yanic Wildschut followed up Max Power’s powerful free kick and on 62 minutes he put them ahead with a brilliant finish from a tight angle.

The home team were well on top and it looked only a matter of time before they would add to their lead. But substitute David McGoldrick set up Pitman for the equaliser and with two minutes of normal time remaining he headed home the winner to devastate Latics.

Ipswich move up to 15th in the table and Latics remain in 23rd place and four points from safety.

Warren Joyce made three changes to the team which lost to Newcastle with Andy Kellett Jordi Gomez and Dan Burn returning in place of Craig Morgan, Shaun MacDonald and Luke Garbutt.

After only six minutes Latics were stunned by a bizarre refereeing decision.

Dan Burn made a good challenge on Tom Lawrence just outside the penalty area, but referee Keith Stroud decided to award a penalty kick, much to the disgust of the home players and supporters.

Brett Pitman made no mistake with the spot kick but there was no doubt that Latics were hard done-by.

With Latics low on confidence it took them awhile to respond to the setback.

But on 35 minutes they were level through Wildschut. The flying Dutchman was the first to respond when Power’s powerful free-kick was parried by Bartosz Bialkowski.

Soon afterwards Power nearly put his side in front but Bialkowski was in the right place to save at close range.

Just before the interval Ipswich might have regained their lead but Jonny Williams smashed his effort against the post.

Latics upped their game at the beginning of the second half and they were now dominating proceedings.

Jordi Gomez was starting to pull the strings in midfield and he was finding Wildschut with unerring accuracy down the left hand side.

On 52 minutes Gomez found Wildschut and the winger fired in a dangerous cross but Berra cleared before Power could connect.

But on 62 minutes Latics went ahead when Wildschut produced a stunning finish.

The winger drove into the Ipswich box first beating two players and then unleashing an unstoppable shot from a tight angle which flew past Bialkowski and into the top right hand corner.

Latics were now well on top and it looked as though they would soon add to their lead.

Power produced another excellent effort from distance, which almost deceived Bialkowski, but the keeper somehow hung on to gather the ball on the line.

Wildschut was causing all sorts of problems for the Ipswich defence but against the run of play the away team drew level.

With fog enveloping the stadium, substitute McGoldrick found Pitman and the striker blasted the ball home from 12 yards.

Latics duly responded and Wildschut looked to have restored the lead when he powered through the Tractor Boys defence but he blazed his final effort wide of the target.

The momentum had been with Latics for most of the second half, but just when it looked like the match would end all square, McGoldrick headed past Jussi Jaaskelainen to stun the home team and their supporters.

Wigan have now gone five home games without victory and remain rooted in the relegation zone.

The decision to sack Gary Caldwell after only 14 games of the season has not reaped any obvious benefits.

New manager Warren Joyce has taken time to familiarise himself with the playing staff and the transition is proving a painful one.

Fortunately Latics have not yet been cut adrift from the teams above them, but if results do not improve soon the prospects are bleak.