View from the away end

• Wigan Athletic were not at their best as they drew 1-1 against second bottom Cheltenham Town at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.
• Latics were ahead after only six minutes when Lewis Freestone deflected Jordan Jones cross into his own net.
• The visitors had started well and Martial Godo nearly increased the lead on 12 minutes but his angled drive hit the post.
• The hosts gradually grew into the game and when Will Goodwin was tripped in the box by Baba Adeeko, Liam Sercombe converted from the penalty spot on 32 minutes.
• Cheltenham continued to push forward in the second-half with Goodwin hitting the post after Curtis Davies’ flick-on from Southwood’s free-kick.
• The out-of-sorts Latics had a great chance to win the game on 64 minutes when Godo was brought down in the area, but Stephen Humphrys’ tame penalty-kick was easily saved by Luke Southwood.
• Latics drop to 18th place and Cheltenham remain second bottom in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made just one change to his side that defeated Peterborough United in midweek with Baba Adeeko replacing Scott Smith in midfield.

Latics started brightly and they were in front after just six minutes. Humphrys beat two men before feeding Jones and the winger’s cross was turned into his own net by Freestone.

It was nearly two on 12 minutes as Godo found space on the right and fired a low angled drive against the post.

At the other end, defender Curtis Davies’ fired wide of Sam Tickle’s left post from the edge of the box.

Curtis Thompson then fired over following a long throw into the Latics penalty area.

Latics had to make an early change when Steven Sessegnon went off with an injury and Scott Smith came on in his place.

The hosts were gradually growing in confidence and they were looking particularly dangerous from set pieces and a free kick from the left was met by Goodwin whose header was deflected just wide.

Cheltenham drew level when referee Carl Brook awarded a penalty on 32 minutes as Adeeko brought down Goodwin in the box and Sercombe stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

1-1 at half-time.

The hosts started strongly at the start of the second-half and Thompson dragged his shot wide before Goodwin was denied by the woodwork.

Latics just couldn’t get out of their half and when they did they quickly lost possession.

Goodwin had two efforts comfortably saved by Tickle as the hosts pressed forward.

Latics were given a massive opportunity on 63 minutes when referee Brook awarded a penalty after Godo was brought down.

Humphrys’ stepped up but his tame penalty-kick was easily saved by Luke Southwood.

Humphrys penalty was saved by Southwood

Maloney made two changes on 75 minutes as Josh Stones and Callum McManaman replaced Lang and Godo.

The changes did not stem the tide as Cheltenham went for the winner but Latics just about held firm.

Substitute Aidan Keena fired over before he had another effort from 20 yards which went wide.

In five minutes of added time Tickle collected a back pass and it appeared the referee had awarded a free-kick, but he had blown for full time and Latics had escaped with a point.

Overview

After an excellent midweek display against Peterborough Latics once again showed their inconsistency with a below-par performance at struggling Cheltenham.

After initially starting well and taking an early lead with an own goal they quickly lost their way.

In forward and defensive positions they lacked the energy to close down their opponents and Cheltenham were allowed to dominate for long periods.

The hosts were particularly threatening from set pieces but at least Tickle and his defenders coped well under pressure.

Latics had missed the injured Thelo Aasgaard in a central role and Steven Sessegnon had to be withdrawn early with an injury.

But this does not excuse the lack of creativity and energy from the forwards and midfielders. Several players were well below their usual standards and Latics could so easily have lost.

Latics inability to play through the thirds meant that they resorted to aimless long balls, which seemed a crazy strategy given that they were playing without an obvious target man. Humphrys lacked energy and drive and Lang was once again ineffective.

They might have stolen all three points with the Humphrys penalty, but that would’ve been very harsh on a hard-working Cheltenham outfit.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards, Shaun Maloney said that it was a point gained for his side due to the nature of the League One encounter. 

“I think for the first 20 minutes, I was really pleased with how we played,” he said.

“We scored a really good goal, but the build-up play was good and we created enough chances to be further ahead.

“In fairness, once they scored their penalty, it became a big fight. We had to defend a lot of long balls and set plays.

“I still felt we were a threat on the counter attack and in terms of missing the penalty, Stephen has been so good for us and it’s one of those things in football.

“It’s a point gained. If anyone was at the game, it was a big battle and we had to defend a lot in our box.

“We went to Stevenage and Burton where we got asked big questions and we didn’t come up with the answers. Today, we certainly came up with the defensive answers so it was a point gained. 

“In general, I’m happy. Some of our young players have never had a game like that so it’s a point gained.”

Following the result, Latics extended their unbeaten run to three matches in all competitions, and Maloney was full of praise for his side’s performance levels after the last month.

“It’s been a brilliant month and my challenge to them now is to go again. We’ve got a big game on Tuesday, we’re already through but it’s a big game for our players. 

“We have to go again. In the last four weeks, the players have been brilliant and I can’t say a negative thing about them.

“Even today, they battled until the last minute not to concede. We have to go again next month.

“I’m very pleased. I am pretty stable with the results but I have to give the players credit to get that amount of points after the run we were on and get through in the FA Cup. The players have been very good but I need more.

“The mindset has to be the same. We’ll have more games like this – more battles – and we may have to find a way of gaining control of the game more. There are certain games where you just have to fight and today was one of them.”

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