Sam Tickle made several important saves to keep Latics ahead

• Wigan Athletic narrowly defeated Reading 1-0 with a less than inspiring performance at the DW Stadium.
• Latics went ahead with a goal of high quality on 32 minutes when Liverpool loanee Callum Chambers played a clever back heel and Thelo Aasgaard curled a superb strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.
• In the second half Latics substitute Liam Morrison forced a good save from David Button before Matt Smith tried to chip the Reading keeper from 35 yards but Button just managed to claw the ball to safety.
• Despite their off-the-field problems the Royals had dominated possession in the second half and late on they might have equalised but Sam Tickle made a superb double save to deny substitute Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan.
• Latics move up to 13th and Reading remain in 21st place in League One.

Shaun Maloney made one change from last Saturday’s draw at Northampton Town, with Matt Smith replacing Morrison.

Latics had the first chance as Jordan Jones broke down the left and crossed for Martial Godo in the box. The Fulham loanee turned and hit a first time shot forcing a low save from David Button.

Aasgaard then had a great chance when Jones crossed from the left, but the young Norwegian international’s header from seven yards was straight at Button.

Reading threatened when Harvey Knibbs strike from inside the box was brilliantly blocked by Sean Clare.

Latics then produced a stunning team move to take the lead. A good touch from Jones found the Liverpool loanee Chambers who cleverly back-heeled the ball to Aasgaard who then curled a superb strike from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net.

The hosts continued to threaten and Godo fired over from inside the box, but he had to be withdrawn soon afterwards due to injury and was replaced by Stephen Humphrys.

Just before half-time Knibbs had a great chance for Reading when a cross from the right found its way to him, but he scuffed his effort from inside the six yard box.

The Royals started the second half strongly and they twice threatened when Knibbs forced Tickle to claw away a cross before on the second occasion he gathered the ball after it had come loose.

Sam Smith then had a header from inside the box saved by Tickle before at the other end substitute Morrison’s header was well saved low by down Button.

Latics nearly doubled their lead 68 minutes when Matt Smith tried to chip the goalkeeper from 35 yards. The ball looked destined for the top corner but Button somehow got back to claw the ball away.

Reading continued to be the dominant team though and Latics dropped deeper into defence.

Lewis Wing fired wide from the edge of the box before Knibbs had another chance to grab an equaliser, but Tickle did well to deny him with his feet.

The hosts were hanging on now and substitute Ehibhatiomhan forced a superb double save from Tickle. The goalkeeper first kept out a fierce drive, and then had to regain his feet to push the ball away from danger.

Latics held out for the three points but great credit must go to Reading for such a battling performance during such difficult times.

Overview

This was a less than inspiring performance by Latics against a team who are in crisis due to the actions of their owner Dai Yongge. Reading lost defender Nelson Abbey prior to kick off and despite their problems they could easily have come away with at least a point if they had had a cutting edge.

As against Doncaster in midweek Latics faded badly in second half, defending very deep and inviting pressure. A better team than Reading would’ve exploited their dominance and taken the chances they created.

Latics have some excellent defenders but several of the forward players are not doing themselves justice. Magennis, Humphrys and Charlie Wyke are all struggling for form at the moment and Latics are crying out for a committed central striker.

Looking positively the win extended Latics’ unbeaten run in the league to four matches, and they have now moved eight points clear of the relegation zone.

They go again on Tuesday night against Wycombe Wanderers and Maloney will want a much improved performance against the Chairboys.

League One Table

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards, Maloney praised his side’s mentality after they dug deep to record all three points. 

“I loved how we played in the first half,” he said.

“If anything, we could’ve been (leading) by more than one, and the second half was the complete opposite.

“We’ve got a team of youngsters – some in their first season of being a senior player – and they have to learn to show both sides.

“They did that today. The second half was tough but they stuck in there, and it was a big win.

“It was a big result, and I am really pleased for the players.

“We can be better with the ball and play under pressure, but for some of the younger players, it’s a big experience. 

“I can sense anxiety from the support at times, and we have to try and play out. We have to understand we have to play under that pressure to keep the ball, and take the team into the opposition half.

“If we stop playing, we end up with halves like we did today. In a really positive side of things, we had to show a defensive mentality to win a game which we did.

“We’ve got young lads, and I have to show them support during the hardest times to keep playing, and they’ll get better for sure.

“We had to show everything today, and thankfully we were on the end of a positive result. There wasn’t a lot between the teams, and we came out on top today.” 

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