View from the away end

• Wigan Athletic earned a valuable point at Northampton Town but they could easily have come away with all three points.
• Despite a bright opening, Latics went behind on 16 minutes when Baba Adeeko gave the ball away and Kieron Bowie was brought down in the box by keeper Sam Tickle for a penalty. Sam Hoskins converted the spot kick for the Cobblers.
• Latics enjoyed the majority of possession and might have equalised when Liam Morrison’s header from close range was blocked on the line by keeper Lee Burge with his head.
• The visitors dominated the second half and they drew level on 64 minutes when Josh Magennis finished from close range after Martial Godo had cut the ball back to him.
• Despite adding extra attackers the Tics couldn’t create any clear-cut chances and the points had to be shared.
• Latics remain in 18th and the Cobblers are in ninth place in the League One table.

Maloney made two changes from Monday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United, with new loan signing Luke Chambers and Josh Magennis coming into the starting XI.

Latics started brightly and had a great opportunity when Magennis set up Jordan Jones on the edge of the area but the winger blazed his effort high over the crossbar. 

Against the run of play Latics went behind on 16 minutes. Adeeko gave the ball away on the edge of the area and Bowie was brought down in the box by Tickle for a penalty. Hoskins converted the spot kick for the hosts.

Latics responded and Godo crossed invitingly to the back post with Jones and Thelo Aasgaard poised to pounce but a Northampton defender produced an excellent clearing header.

At the other end Shaun McWilliams volleyed wide of Tickle’s left post. 

Just before half-time Latics almost equalised when a corner was met by Morrison, who headed towards goal but his effort was somehow kept out by the head of goalkeeper Burge.

Latics started the second half on the front foot and pushed for the equaliser.

Matt Smith and Callum McManaman replaced Morrison and Adeeko on 61 minutes as Latics upped the tempo.

The equaliser came on 64 minutes when a quick free-kick from Matt Smith played in Godo. The Fulham loanee cut the ball back to Magennis who scored from close range.

Latics continued to look the most likely to get the winner.

Jonny Smith and Charlie Wyke replaced Godo and Magennis on 71 minutes. Latics now had three wingers on the pitch to attack the hosts, with Smith, McManaman and Jones all pushed forward.

The hosts continued to be resolute however and Maloney’s men just couldn’t create any clear-cut chances in the remaining minutes.

A solid away performance by Latics, but with a little more aggression and quality in the final third it could easily have been three points.

Latics on the attack

Overview

The Tics continued the good work from their recent performances against Barnsley and Manchester United.

Apart from a couple of early lapses in concentration the players performed to a good standard.

Against an in-form Northampton they dominated possession and had the lion’s share of chances. On another day they could easily have come away with all three points.

New loan signing Luke Chambers was particularly impressive on his debut. The Liverpool loanee defended well, was composed on the ball, getting forward on several occasions in the second half.

It was also great to see Matt Smith make his comeback after a long injury. He did very well after coming on as a second half substitute. The former Arsenal midfielder adds much needed composure in midfield and helped to set up the equaliser with an astute pass. Let’s hope he can remain fit for the rest of the season.

Latics travel to League Two Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy knowing that they are very capable of getting to the final. Let’s hope they can grasp the opportunity.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards Shaun Maloney praised his side’s effort levels and endeavour after they came back to earn a point at Northampton.

“I thought our performance was right up there with the levels of Barnsley,” he said.

“It was very good, in a different way. At Barnsley, we were very much on the counter attack, whereas today, I thought we were very good on the ball on a difficult pitch. 

“It’s even harder when you go one goal down, and I thought we played very well. I was really happy with everyone today.

“We didn’t change anything – but had to be more aggressive. The response was good. 

“Overall, I’m really happy. It’s sometimes difficult to stand here after a draw or a loss when the performance is good. Today, I’ve got nothing but good things to say about my players.”

Player ratings

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