Martlal Godo gave Latics an early lead

• Wigan Athletic got back to winning ways after four successive League One defeats with a 2-0 victory at Exeter City.
• Latics went ahead after eight minutes when Stephen Humphrys broke quickly down the left hand side before playing the ball to Martial Godo to side foot home from inside the box.
• Despite enjoying plenty of possession the hosts couldn’t create any clear cut chances in the first half.
• Latics struggled to get out of their own half after the break and it looked only a matter of time before the Grecians would equalise.
• But Latics held on due to some resolute defending and Exeter’s poor finishing.
• In the final minute of added time Latics sealed the three points when substitute Jordan Jones drove forward and beat two men before his shot deflected off Will Aimson and flew in at the near post.
• Latics move up to 21st in the League One table and Exeter drop to 16th place.

Shaun Maloney made four changes to the side that lost at Stevenage with Liam Morrison, Tom Pearce, Scott Smith and Josh Stones all coming into the starting line-up.

Exeter created the first opportunity of the match. A corner found Will Aimson who volleyed wide from close range in the seventh minute.

A minute later and Latics were ahead. Humphrys drove forward down the left-hand side before playing the ball to Godo to side foot into corner of the net.

The hosts nearly drew level in the 18th minute. Defender Zak Jules burst into the Latics’ penalty area, and it took great block from Charlie Hughes to divert his low drive into the side netting.

Gary Caldwell’s Exeter then pinned Latics in defence with a succession of corners but they were unable to breakthrough.

The hosts were enjoying the majority of the ball in the first half, but they were struggling to carve out any clear cut opportunities and it was Maloney’s men who nearly added a second goal in the 31st minute.

Tom Pearce’s free kick from the left-hand side fell to Liam Morrison, who saw his shot deflected wide of Viljami Sinisalo’s far post.

After the break Latics struggled to maintain any meaningful possession and the Grecians continued to dominate the ball.

Whether by desire or necessity Latics sat deeper and deeper which inevitably led to more pressure on their own goal.

Liam Shaw replaced Josh Stones in the 62nd minute in an attempt to reinforce the Tics midfield.

After absorbing the hosts attacking pressure the visitors carved out their first opportunity of the second half in the 70th minute.

Humphrys cut inside from the right-hand side and drove at the Exeter defence but his left-footed strike was wide of the far post.

Maloney made a double substitution in the 71st minute and brought on Josh Magennis and Omar Rekik to replace Stephen Humphrys and Steven Sessegnon.

Pressure continued to mount on the Latics defence and Sean Clare made a vital sliding challenge to deny Mitchel playing the Exeter forwards in behind the Latics defence in the 82nd minute.

Latics just couldn’t maintain any serious possession and it looked almost inevitable that the Grecians would equalise.

A free-kick found Aimson free in the Latics penalty area in the 85th minute but his header was narrowly wide of Sam Tickle’s post.

It was to be a very tense finish as the home side pinned Latics back in their own penalty area and it took a superb effort from Tickle to push Mitchell’s goal-bound strike over the crossbar in added time.

Tickle was in action again only moments later, making a vital save to deny former Latic Yanic Wildschut, tipping his shot onto the post and away.

The pressure was relentless now and Scott Smith made a fantastic last-ditch block to prevent James Scott from grabbing a late equaliser.

It was to prove a critical block as in the 97th minute substitute Jones sealed the three points for Latics.

Jones drove forward and beat two men before his shot deflected off Will Aimson and flew in at the near post.

Jubilant scenes ensued as 500 travelling Latics supporters, players and coaching staff celebrated a much-needed return to winning ways.

Jubilant Tics fans at St James Park

Overview

In truth Latics were somewhat fortunate to come away from Exeter with the three points. Exeter had enjoyed 70 per cent possession and had 30 shots while Latics only managed five.

Latics had defended resolutely throughout and Tickle had made some vital saves but Exeter had been profligate in front of goal. Maloney’s team had been a little lucky but its also true that Caldwell’s team just didn’t have a cutting edge.

They will face a much stiffer test against second place Oxford United on Tuesday night and they will have to be much better at keeping possession if they are to secure another victory.

Humphrys and Godo are a big threat when they get the ball in the final third but they just weren’t getting enough decent passes against Exeter.

The forwards will require much better service against Oxford if they are to prevail. A better link up between the strikers and midfield is vital.

They will at least be boosted by the return of striker Charlie Wyke after his suspension.

Maloney’s young team showed great spirit at Exeter but they are still very much a work in progress with plenty of room for improvement.  

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards Maloney was delighted that his team could send the 500-plus supporters home happy with a huge victory. 

“It was an incredible performance, a very different kind of performance from what we’ve seen,” he said. 

“It had everything, plenty of heart from each player in the team today.

“I’m really proud but also really pleased for the travelling support. It’s a long way to come and they gave absolutely everything to give them something to go home with.”

Latics had to defend for large spells in the second half, putting their bodies on the line to protect their lead. 

Maloney praised his young players for showing the heart and desire to get the victory following a difficult run of results. 

“There were brilliant blocks on the line,” he said.

“These are moments I hope the fans take satisfaction from.

“I think when it’s that young, I doubt there’s any younger team in the four divisions today. I was always concerned that if there were moments of adversity and how the young kids would cope but from the very first whistle the mentality was right. They were there to fight.

“I have an emotional attachment to this club. It hurts me when we don’t win. It hurts me when the supporters don’t have something to travel home with. 

“We have to show the same desire and fight in the game on Tuesday.”

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