Nick Powell gave Latics a first half lead

Wigan Athletic once again proved to be their own worst enemies as individual errors cost them the points against Hull City and edged them closer to the relegation zone.

Latics who have not won away in 19 Championship fixtures led through Nick Powell’s clinical 20-yard finish on 41 minutes but the Tigers drew level when keeper Christian Walton spilled a shot from Kamil Grosicki and Fraizer Campbell followed up to score on 51 minutes.

Substitute Gavin Massey had a good header well saved by David Marshall on 75 minutes, before they conceded an 89th minute corner and the unmarked Jordy De Wijs headed home from within the six-yard box to condemn Latics to yet another away defeat.

Latics drop two places in the Championship table to fourth-bottom and are now only two points ahead of third-bottom Rotherham United with five games still to play. Play-off outsiders Hull are in 9th place in the table and five points off sixth-place.

Paul Cook made one change from the starting eleven that drew 2-2 away at Bristol City, with Darron Gibson replacing Cedric Kipre.

Cook surprisingly tweaked his starting formation adopting a back four and moving Reece James to full back and Nathan Byrne into midfield alongside Sammy Morsy and Darron Gibson. A risky strategy given that James is Latics’ most effective player.

Latics had a couple of early half chances as Powell fired over from distance and Joe Garner headed wide from a James cross.

The Tigers responded with Walton producing a fine save at his near post to deny Jarrod Bowen.

The hosts nearly went ahead on 20 minutes when Marc Pugh’s delicate chip beat Walton but clipped the crossbar before Grosicki later volleyed wide.

Latics had ridden their luck a little in the opening half but just before the interval they went in front through Powell’s clinical finish from the edge of the area.

The visitors now had a great chance to go on and get something from the game but their good work was undone by yet another individual error six minutes into the second half.  Grosicki’s shot from the edge of the area wasn’t held by Walton and Campbell followed up for a poacher’s finish.

Substitute Gavin Massey had a good opportunity to restore Latics’ lead but his header from Josh Windass’s corner was well saved by Marshall at close range.

With the match seemingly heading towards a draw Latics once again contrived to contribute to their own downfall.

Their inability to manage out the closing stages of a game continues to be an achilles heel. This time Samy Morsy conceded an unnecessary corner on 89 minutes and from the corner de Wijs was allowed far too much space to head home from within the six-yard box.

Cook’s decision to re-jig his line-up and move Reece James from midfield to full back was also a big mistake on the night. James has been Latics’ best and most creative player and they definitely suffered from his absence in the centre of the team. He must surely return to a midfield role against Norwich City on Sunday if Latics are to get a positive result from the game.