Charlie Kelman scored a brace

• In a scrappy game Wigan Athletic gained a point in a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic at The Valley.
• In an uneventful first half Charlton took the lead on 19 minutes when Charlie Hughes sliced a long ball into his own net when challenged by Alfie May.
• The Addicks started the second half strongly with George Dobson hitting the post and Sam Tickle twice saving with his legs from Thierry Small and Alfie May.
• Against the run of play Latics drew level on 62 minutes when Jonny Smith fired at goal and Harry Isted could only palm the ball to QPR loanee Charlie Kelman who tapped home at the back post.
• Three minutes later and Kelman grabbed his second to give Latics the advantage. Kelman raced into the box and fired the ball high into the roof of the net via a deflection off Macaulay Gillesphey.
• Charlton responded and substitute Chuks Aneke produced one of the misses of the season, skying over an open goal from two yards out.
• Aneke made up for the miss on 79 minutes when he equalised, heading home Dobson’s deep cross at the back post.
• Both teams had chances to win the game in the dying minutes but Latics were most relieved to come away with a hard-earned point against a team who are now unbeaten in 12 games.
• Latics remain in 13th place and Charlton are in 14th place in the League One table.

Manager Shaun Maloney made three changes to his starting line up following the draw with Port Vale as Sean Clare, Jonny Smith and Charlie Kelman replaced Steven Sessegnon, Baba Adeeko and Callum McManaman.

Latics had an early opportunity when Godo broke into the box from the right following some clever footwork. He took aim from a narrow angle, but his strike from close range was saved by Isted.

Latics were enjoying plenty of early possession but couldn’t find an end product.

Then on 19 minutes a long hopeful ball over the top from Charlton saw Hughes challenge with May and in the process sliced his clearance over Tickle and into the net.

Some of Latics’ players thought Hughes was fouled by May, but referee Lee Swabey waved away their appeals. 

Dobson nearly added to the Addicks lead on 26 minutes but he fired into the side-netting from a good position inside the penalty area.

At the other end, Matt Smith’s corner looked like it was curling straight in, but goalkeeper Isted scrambled the ball away before Kelman could pounce.

Just before half-time May’s shot was deflected across goal and out for a corner much to Latics’ relief.

Tom Pearce replaced Charlie Goode at half-time.

The hosts started the second half strongly with George Dobson hitting the post and Sam Tickle twice saving with his legs from Small and May.

At the other end, Jonny Smith cut inside from the right, but curled his effort over the crossbar.

Hughes came to Latics rescue blocking a Daniel Kanu shot before Latics drew level against the run of play.

Jonny Smith broke down the right and fired at goal and Isted could only palm the ball into the feet of Kelman who tapped the ball home at the back post.

Three minutes later and Kelman grabbed his second to give Latics the advantage. Kelman raced into the box and fired the ball high into the roof of the net via a deflection off Macaulay Gillesphey.

Charlton responded with substitute Chuks Aneke producing one of the misses of the season, skying over an open goal from two yards out.

But Aneke made up for the miss on 79 minutes when he equalised, heading home Dobson’s deep cross at the back post.

Hughes played a superb long pass to substitute McManaman and he set up fellow substitute Sze, but the young Academy product’s effort was wide of the target on 83 minutes.

Hughes then came to Latics’ rescue on 88 minutes with a clearing header from under his own crossbar.

There was plenty of late Charlton pressure, but with some last ditch defending Latics held out for a hard-earned point. 

Overview

This was a far from convincing performance by Latics but at least they worked hard for a rare point on their travels.

The first half was an uninspiring affair from both teams only punctuated by a freakish Hughes own goal. 

The second half started as though Charlton would get a bagful and if it was not for some good saves by Tickle and some poor finishing the game could’ve been over. 

But against the run of play Latics produced a flowing move and Jonny Smith’s strike fell to Kelman who drew them level.

Three minutes later and Latics were surprisingly ahead when Kelman added a second, firing high into the net via a somewhat fortunate deflection.

Despite taking the lead it never looked like Latics would hold on, as first Aneke missed a sitter and then soon afterwards he equalised with a header.

In truth Latics were fortunate to hold out, with substitute Pearce in particular making several mistakes that could easily have led to goals.

Latics had struggled for long periods and looked weary at times, but they had produced a burst of activity for Kelman’s two goals.

The squad is currently stretched by injuries and several of the Academy players looked tired from a long season. 

With three games remaining many of the players look like they will be glad to see the close season.

For next season much will depend on how owner Mike Danson sees the future of Wigan Athletic.

Academy products Hughes and Tickle are coveted by several clubs and it will be interesting to see if Latics can hold on to them for next season.

Several players will probably leave due to their high Championship wages, for example, Ben Amos, Charlie Wyke, Josh Magennis and Stephen Humphrys. 

A few others, like Jason Kerr, Jordan Jones, and McManaman may be offered new deals. Of the seven players on loan, some Maloney would like to keep, but most of the others will go back to their host clubs.

It looks like it’s going to be a close season of big change.

Post match comments

It’s been a manic 24 hours for Shaun Maloney, who made it to the Valley just 25 minutes before kick-off after his wife gave birth to a baby girl yesterday.

It made preparations for the game rather unique, and Maloney was full of praise for the coaching staff and his players for their performance on the night in the capital. 

Speaking afterwards to the media, Maloney said: 

“We had a baby girl yesterday and my wife did amazing. I just about made it here today – and it wasn’t the normal preparation.

“Once I got the green light, I made it here at 7:20pm. We knew this was coming at some point and I thought the staff did a brilliant job today and yesterday.

“I want to also thank the senior players who really stepped up today. For 25-30 minutes in the second half, the players were brilliant.

“At the start of the game, we were slightly more dominant and I liked how we started. The way their manager (Nathan Jones) has got them playing is really aggressive, and they put the ball forward quickly.

“The goal affected us, and they came after us. We had to change shape at half-time and I wanted us to be more aggressive. They (Charlton) could’ve scored a couple in the first five minutes of the second half.

“After that, I thought we were brilliant under real pressure.”

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