Kal Naismith went closest for Latics

Wigan Athletic slipped into the League One relegation zone after a narrow 1-0 defeat against promotion chasing Peterborough United.

Tricky winger Siriki Dembele was a constant threat for the visitors who should have been ahead on 13 minutes when Dembele pulled the ball back for Joe Ward but the midfielder fired narrowly wide from a good position.

Posh went in front on 27 minutes when Dan Butler’s deep cross found the unmarked Jonson Clarke-Harris who had time to chest the ball down before volleying past Jamie Jones.

Latics had the better of the second half but despite enjoying more possession they lacked a cutting edge. Kal Naismith going closest for the hosts in the 91st minute when his cross shot hit the outside of the post.

Latics drop down to 21st place in the League One table while Peterborough maintain fourth place.

John Sheridan made one change to the team defeated at Charlton on Saturday with Matty Palmer making his debut in place of the injured Dan Gardner. Tom Pearce was still unavailable due to injury.

Peterborough made a confident start but it was Latics who threatened first when Naismith had his shot well saved by Christy Pym after three minutes.

Posh should have been ahead after 13 minutes when Dembele cleverly evaded Gavin Massey before setting up Ward but the midfielder fired narrowly wide when he looked odds on to score.

But the visitors were ahead on 27 minutes when Clarke-Harris was allowed far too much room in the box and the striker chested the ball down before confidently volleying home.

Latics forced a succession of corners as the half wore on but the delivery was invariably poor and failed to cause the visitors many problems.

Winger Viv Solomon-Otabor was well marked out of the game by Nathan Thompson as the hosts struggled to create meaningful chances.

Reece Brown fired wide from the edge of the box on the stroke of half time as Posh ended the first half on top.

Latics improved a little in the second half enjoying more possession and occasionally threatening but the visitors always looked dangerous on the break and at set pieces.

Lee Evans went close for Latics when his snapshot forced an excellent save from Pym low down to his left on 67 minutes.

Latics strikers were generally relying on scraps rather than creating clear goalscoring opportunities. Will Keane was replaced by Chris Merrie on 59 minutes and Joe Garner was replaced by Ollie Crankshaw on 80 minutes after both strikers had a thankless night.

Latics did nearly snatch an equaliser in added time when Naismith’s cross shot from the edge of the box hit the outside of the post, but overall they came up short against a good Peterborough team who look like they will be amongst the promotion contenders at the end of the season.

Sheridan’s team are very much a work in progress, having been assembled under difficult circumstances and should be given time to develop.

There are some promising combinations in defence and in midfield with Evans and Naismith but there was a lack of cutting edge in the final third and the manager will be concerned at the lack goals in the last three games.

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