• Wigan Athletic recorded a narrow 1-0 victory against ten-man Leyton Orient at the DW Stadium.
• Latics went close when a corner from Luke Chambers was headed over goalkeeper Sol Brynn by Charlie Hughes but Ethan Galbraith cleared off the line.
• The best chance of the first half fell to Josh Magennis but he couldn’t convert from Callum McManaman’s perfect cross.
• Just before the break the O’s were reduced to 10-men when Galbraith was dismissed for a second yellow card after fouling Jordan Jones.
• The second half saw Latics dominate against the 10-men but it was not until the 73rd minute that they went ahead. Substitute Jason Kerr heading home with his first touch following fellow substitute Jonny Smith’s cross.
• Both teams had good chances late in the second half but it was Latics who ran out the deserved winners.
• Latics remain in 13th place and Orient are in 10th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made five changes following the defeat to Fleetwood Town last Saturday. Sean Clare, Kerr, Jonny Smith, Martial Godo and Stephen Humphrys were replaced by Charlie Hughes, Scott Smith, Callum McManaman, Jordan Jones and Josh Magennis.

Early on Jones threatened when he beat his marker and cut inside, and fired wide of the target.

Orient’s Darren Pratley then fired wide from the edge of the box after the ball had fallen kindly to him following a Luke Chambers header.

At the other end a Chambers corner found Hughes at the back post and his looping header had to be cleared off the line by Galbraith.

Latics had a great chance when McManaman beat his marker and crossed perfectly for Magennis, but the defender just got back in time to block his effort.

Then three minutes before the break the game turned in Latics’ favour. Galbraith who had been booked earlier for a foul on Jones brought him down again and referee Scott Oldham issued a red card.

0-0 at half-time.

Early in the second half Latics had another big opportunity on the counter attack. Baba Adeeko picked up the ball and drove forward before feeding McManaman, but the winger fired his effort just wide of the far post.

Jones then crossed for substitute Kelman, but the striker headed wide from inside the six-yard box.

Latics were not surprisingly dominating possession and Maloney made five changes to make their man-advantage count.

It was two of the substitutes who combined to make the breakthrough for Latics. Jonny Smith crossed for Kerr who was left unmarked in the box and he powerfully headed home.

The visitors had to come out now and they were dangerous on the break and substitute Joe Piggott tested Tickle from distance in the 88th minute.

Latics then countered through Godo, but his cross was inches away from first Humphrys and then Kelman.

Humphrys then had a great chance to seal the three points in the 96th minute when he got free down the left and cut inside but he was denied by keeper Brynn.

But it didn’t matter as the game ended a minute later at 1-0 to the Tics.

Overview

This was an important victory for Latics which takes them near to the 50 point mark which would confirm another season in League One.

After the disappointing result against Fleetwood this was a much improved performance, although they were playing against ten-men for half the game.

Latics should have been more clinical as they had the chances to win by more than one goal but there were still some impressive displays from the players. Callum McManaman and Jordan Jones caused Orient plenty of problems down the flanks and Luke Chambers and Charlie Hughes were back to their best in defence.

The remaining games will give Latics an opportunity for a top half finish which is quite an achievement given the eight point deduction and all the problems they have had to overcome.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards, Maloney praised his senior players for leading from the front and overcoming a resolute Leyton Orient side who fought with ten-men for a large part of the game.

“It was a really difficult game for our players,” Maloney said.

“In the first half, we had one big chance and some dangerous opportunities but had to defend at times.

“The second half was trying to stay as patient as we could, and every substitution was as aggressive as we could be.

“Jonny (Smith) and Jason (Kerr) combined for the goal which was much needed. Jason has done really well for us, and I am really glad that he had that moment. 

“It was a big win for us today. I really challenged the senior players to lead from the front, and they did. 

“With the minus eight, we have to get to the 50-point mark. It’s been a difficult season from the first day back, and I credit the players and the fans because we’ve needed them a lot this season.”

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