Callum Lang dismissed for a second yellow card.

• Wigan Athletic were defeated 1-0 at Stevenage in a chaotic match that was spoiled by the poor decisions of referee Alan Young. 
• The referee sent off Callum Lang and Alex MacDonald and booked 12 others in a crazy game at Broadhall Way.
• The hosts went ahead after nine minutes when Baba Adeeko was adjudged to have fouled Jordan Robert’s and Aaron Presley converted the penalty.
• Latics’ skipper Callum Lang was harshly given a second yellow card for an innocuous collision with Jake Forster-Caskey on 34 minutes as the visitors were reduced to 10 men.
• As the numerous stoppages and bookings continued in the second half as Stevenage substitute Alex MacDonald saw a straight red for a foul on Charlie Hughes on 74 minutes.
• The visitors Josh Magennis should’ve equalised eight minutes from time but the hosts held on for the three points against the 10 men.
• Latics remain second bottom and Stevenage move up to fourth place in the League One table. 

Shaun Maloney made four changes to the Latics team who were defeated by Burton Albion in midweek. Steven Sessegnon, Thelo Aasgaard, Martial Godo and Stephen Humphrys replaced Tom Pearce, Liam Shaw, Callum McManaman and Josh Magennis in the starting XI.

The match started badly for the visitors and they were behind after only nine minutes.

Roberts went down under the challenge of Adeeko and to the surprise of everyone,  referee Young pointed to the penalty spot. Pressley converting the spot kick to give the hosts the advantage.

Latics tried to respond and Humphrys went close. The striker drove forward from his own half and when he was just inside the box he curled a low strike which looked destined for the corner of the net but keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond did superbly to push the ball away.

Aasgaard curled an effort wide from 25 yards on 30 minutes.

Lang had been booked on 21 minutes for something he said to referee Young, before he was then shown a red card on 34 minutes after picking up a second yellow for an innocuous collision with Forster-Caskey. Latics now had a mountain to climb as they were down to 10 men.

A lengthy stoppage followed soon afterwards as Luther James-Wildin received treatment following a head collision with team-mate Carl Piergianni.

Pressley had a great chance to double the hosts lead, but Tickle did exceptionally well to deny him from point-blank range before the rebound was tapped wide.

Magennis replaced Kell Watts at half time with Humphrys moving to the right.

Tickle was called into action as he denied Elliott List at his near post. List then had another opportunity on 51 minutes, but Tickle saved again.

Maloney then introduced Liam Shaw, Jonny Smith and Tom Pearce for Aasgaard, Humphrys and Sessegnon.

Despite being down to 10 men, Latics still posed a threat with Godo prominent.

With 20 minutes remaining the Fulham loanee managed to get a strike on goal from a tight angle but Jonny Smith might’ve been the better option in the box.

Referee Young continued to give out cards as Stevenage substitute Macdonald was shown a straight red for a tackle on Hughes before both sets of players squared up to each other with Hughes and Clare yellow carded for Latics and Dan Butler booked for Stevenage.

With eight minutes remaining Magennis had a glorious opportunity to draw Latics level but he scuffed his effort over from 10 yards.

Both sides had chances late on, as first Kane Hemmings had an effort which was just wide of the post, before Shaw fired over from 30 yards.

The match ended 1-0 but it was referee Young who will be remembered from this game for his shambolic decision making. A truly awful referee who completely spoiled the game and effectively gave the three points to Stevenage.

Overview

The standard of referees in the EFL is, to say the least, variable. Latics have already had some major decisions go against them this season but referee Alan Young demonstrated a new level of incompetence at Stevenage.

The penalty given against Adeeko was very debatable and the second yellow card for Lang for a collision was nonsensical.

The referee lost control of the game and his excessive use of his 12 cautionary cards created a chaotic environment which ruined the game.

Despite going down to 10 men Latics probably deserved a point on the day but the current run of six defeats in seven games is very worrying.

Latics have struggled because several players have lost form and they have also missed Charlie Wyke and Matt Smith in recent games. Maloney’s team is just too fragile in midfield at the moment and the opposition find it far too easy to penetrate the defence.

After the EFL Trophy game against Fleetwood, Latics have 11 days before travelling to Exeter and Maloney desperately needs to find a solution to their midfield soft centre.

Latics must eradicate the mistakes and quickly get back to winning ways or Maloney’s job will inevitably be under threat.

I personally believe Maloney should be given time to turn it around, but football is a results based business and the longer Latics go without a victory the less likely it is he will survive in the role.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards, Maloney felt for the travelling supporters who had made the trip to Stevenage and was disappointed with how the match unfolded at the Lamex Stadium. 

“I’ve only seen one angle, and I don’t think it was a foul. It started the match that unfolded,” he explained. 

“After the goal, the reaction was good. I’ve been here for eight months and I’ve been consistent with how I speak about referees, and I’m not one to complain.

“Today felt like a game where the referee had a big impact on it, and unfortunately for us, it was a big negative.

“I just feel for the supporters who travelled down here. What I would say to the support was that I had a team that gave everything to try and get something from this game. 

“It (the red card) changed the dynamic and it was a ridiculous decision to give him a second yellow. 

“When it happened, we had to stay in the game, but still put attacking players on the pitch. We knew we would have a few chances, but we didn’t manage to take them.

It’s heartbreaking. We’re trying extremely hard to get points on the board and win again.

“I feel sorry for the supporters who paid to watch us and travelled down. The only thing I can give them is that every player who stepped onto the pitch was fighting for our Club. 

“After they scored, we started to settle the game down, but it turned into a massive fight for us.”

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