Thelo Aasgaard scored twice at Peterborough. Photo by Bernard Platt

• Wigan Athletic completed the double over promotion-chasing Peterborough United with a 3-2 victory at the Weston Homes Stadium. Latics had previously been the only team to have defeated Posh in a 22 game unbeaten run.
• Latics went ahead against the run of play in the 20th minute when Charlie Hughes cross-ball found Jordan Jones who beat a defender before crossing for Thelo Aasgaard to turn home.
• In the second half Latics increased their lead when Martial Godo cut in from the right and fed Aasgaard whose shot from the edge of the box was flicked home by Josh Magennis on 52 minutes.
• The visitors were reduced to 10-men on 76 minutes when Matt Smith was dismissed for a second bookable offence. However Latics added a third goal when substitute Stephen Humphrys crossed for Aasgaard on 85 minutes.
• It looked like Latics were cruising to victory but two goals in added time from Josh Knight and Ricky Jade-Jones for Peterborough made it a nervous ending for the visitors.
• Latics remain in 13th place and Peterborough drop to fourth in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made four changes to his starting XI from last Saturday’s defeat to Stevenage with Steven Sessegnon, Charlie Goode, Baba Adeeko and Martial Godo returning.  

Latics made a fast start with a high press on their opponents. They lost Sessegnon due to injury after only seven minutes and he was replaced by Jordan Jones who went on to make an impact.

The hosts started to build a momentum and Archie Collins fired over and Sean Clare made a good block to deny Ephron Mason-Clark.

Sam Tickle then made a remarkable double save denying Joel Randall from point-blank range before somehow getting back to claw away Hector Kyprianou’s rebound before the ball could cross the line.

Then against the run of play Latics took the lead on the counter-attack on 20 minutes.

Hughes hit a superb cross-field ball to Jones who beat a defender before crossing for Aasgaard who struck with a first-time finish from just inside the box.

Posh tried to respond and immediately pushed for an equaliser, but Latics defended resolutely with Charlie Goode making a crucial goal-bound clearance.

Latics nearly increased their lead soon afterwards as Jones pulled the ball back to Aasgaard who in turn  found Godo, but his effort was well saved by Nicholas Bilokapic.

Jade-Jones then had a great opportunity for the hosts but he headed wide from a good position.

In the first minute of the second half Harrison Burrows fired over from the edge of the box. 

At the other end Clare had a big chance as Aasgaard’s cross found him free at the back post, but he volleyed over.

Latics doubled their advantage on 52 minutes when Godo cut in from the right and fed Aasgaard whose shot from the edge of the box was flicked home by Magennis. 

Posh had a chance to pull a goal back, but Jadel Katongo’s pull-back was cleared away. Mason-Clark then fired over from inside the box as Latics held on.

The visitors were reduced to 10-men on 76 minutes when Matt Smith was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

The hosts increased the pressure but poor finishing was letting them down. Jade-Jones wasted another glorious opportunity on 77 minutes.

But Latics added a third goal on 85 minutes when substitute Humphrys went past two defenders before firing in a low cross for Aasgaard who finished from inside the six-yard box.

It looked like the 10-man Tics were cruising to the three points but in added time Knight scored after a goalmouth scramble and two minutes later Posh jangled the visitors nerves as Jade-Jones bundled home a second.

But Latics held on for a memorable victory and a big three points against one of the promotion favourites.

Overview

Latics produced one of their best away performances of the season against a very good Peterborough team who will no doubt be in the mix for automatic promotion. Latics looked solid defensively although some poor finishing had definitely let down the hosts.

It was Latics first away win since November, for once they had been more clinical than their hosts, with Aasgaard having one of his best games for the Tics. The Norwegian U21 international could easily be credited with a hat-trick if it is decided that a defender got the last touch on the second goal. Whatever the outcome, he is starting to show the performances that his obvious talent has always suggested.  

Charlie Goode is looking like a good defensive addition to the team and he adds great experience as a leader on the pitch. Luke Chambers is proving to be another fine addition and it appears that confidence is growing and Maloney’s tactics are bearing fruit.

It has been a quite remarkable effort from everyone at the club to overcome the off-the-field crisis and the eight point deduction and establish the team in mid-table. Latics are now looking upwards and the signs are very promising.

League One Table

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards to the media, Maloney was full of praise for his players on the back of an extremely positive display. 

“It was a really good performance,” he said.

“It had everything you want in an away performance, and the last couple of minutes became a bit nerve-wracking but it’s a massive win for us.

“We needed to be at our very best, and I think we were today. I’ve said openly that they (Peterborough) are the strongest side in the division, and it shows you how well we had to play. 

“The last four minutes were uncomfortable. I was waiting for the final whistle and I was delighted when it came.

“Today was huge for us. We’ve had a couple (of good away performances), and we’ve been to Derby and Bolton, and produced similar levels.

“Today, we definitely got it right against a decent team. You can see why Peterborough are so close to the top of the league.”

Player ratings

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