Will Grigg grabbed a brace

Will Grigg was back amongst the goals with a brace as Wigan easily overcame Walsall at the DW Stadium.

Latics were in control from the kick off but only went ahead on the half hour mark when Grigg finished with composure after Nick Powell and Walsall keeper Mark Gillespie had collided.

Early in the second half Powell played Grigg through on goal and the striker was brought down just as he was about to shoot by James Wilson.

Grigg blasted his spot kick low past Liam Roberts to increase Latics’ lead and effectively seal the points.

Walsall had offered little going forward although Amadou Bakayoko forced a good save from Jamie Jones late on.

Latics made one change to the team which had beaten Plymouth on Tuesday night with Callum Elder replacing Reece James.

Latics started on the front foot quickly gaining the ascendancy controlling possession and creating chances.

Powell had a great chance to open the scoring when played through on goal but he miskicked his effort and the ball went well wide.

But Latics went ahead on the half hour when Michael Jacobs’ cross was met by both Powell and the Walsall keeper and the ball fell to Grigg who fired into the bottom right hand side of the net.

Wigan failed to add to their lead before the interval but on 54 minutes they increased it when Powell’s through ball put Grigg in the clear and just as he was about to pull the trigger he was brought down by James Wilson, and the referee awarded a penalty. Grigg smashed home the spot kick to double Latics’ lead.

Powell might have increased the lead when he met a low cross from Callum Elder but he couldn’t quite get the all important touch at the near post.

Walsall came more into the game late on as Latics eased off. A mistake by Dan Burn let in substitute Dan Agyei but he dragged his shot wide. Then in the 90th minute Jamie Jones denied Walsall a consolation when he made a good save from Amadou Bakayoko.

In the final analysis Latics had comfortably consolidated their second place in the League One table but they will expect a tougher test away at Scunthorpe United next Saturday.