Reece James went close for Latics

Wigan Athletic produced one of their worst performances of the season to succumb 1-0 to the Championship’s bottom club Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys had been without a win at home all season but the visitors allowed a team which was low on form and confidence to grab all three points.

Former West Ham striker Freddie Sears scored the winner in the 67th minute when his shot in a crowded area deflected off Lee Evans past keeper Christian Walton.

In a game that was low on quality Latics had the majority of the play, but a failure to be creative and clinical in the final third of the pitch proved crucial.

Ipswich only managed one shot on target and three shots in total while Latics had 16 shots with only two on target.

The excellent Reece James went closest for Latics when his drive from 18 yards hit the crossbar but too many Latics players had an off day and their dreadful away form continued.

Latics made two changes from the side that lost to Derby County last weekend with the suspended Kal Naismith being replaced by Callum Connolly and Will Grigg replacing James Vaughan.

Ipswich started the brighter of the two teams and forced Latics onto the back foot, however it was the visitors who had the first chance when Josh Windass got behind the hosts defence but he miscued his shot wide of the target.

In a game of poor quality, James produced a superbly tempting cross on the half hour mark, but neither Windass nor Grigg could get the vital touch to make it count.

Ipswich’s best chance came when Sears raced through the Latics’ defence but he blazed his effort over the crossbar.

The Tractor Boys keeper Dean Gerken wasn’t looking convincing and he nearly gifted Latics the lead just before half time when he spilled a James corner but Connolly saw his shot blocked at close range.

All square at half time but surely Latics would up their game after the interval?

The signs were certainly promising when James crashed his strike against the Ipswich crossbar.

But against the run of play Latics went behind on 67 minutes when a rare Ipswich attack prove crucial with Sears’ shot deflecting off Evans past Walton.

Latics huffed and puffed to get back into the game but they lacked the creativity and ideas to unlock the Ipswich defence.

Connolly headed over from eight yards out and a James free-kick was well saved by Gerken but Latics slippped to their eighth defeat in nine away games.

Despite some difficult conditions it was a game that Latics shouldn’t have lost and the players should accept the responsibility for a poor display. Standards on the road continue to disappoint and Paul Cook will be wondering why his team do not perform away from the DW Stadium.

Latics have been missing the services of some key attacking players, Nick Powell, Michael Jacobs and Gavin Massey, but it was still desperately disappointing to lose a game that was there for the taking.