View from the away end. Photo by Stuart Marr.

• Wigan Athletic ended play-off chasing Lincoln City’s 16 game undefeated run with a stunning 2-1 victory at the LNER stadium.
• A free-flowing move by Latics resulted in them taking the lead in the 20th minute. Jonny Smith curling a superb strike from 20 yards into the far corner.
• Five minutes before the break the Imps drew level when Danny Mandroiu produced a fine low strike from 30 yards which found the bottom corner, despite Sam Tickle getting a hand to it.
• Both teams created plenty of chances with Lincoln having three goals disallowed for various reasons, but it was Latics who secured the three points when captain Charlie Hughes fired home a dramatic 90th minute winner.
• Latics remain in 13th minute place and the Imps drop to eighth place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made three changes to his starting line up following the draw with Charlton Athletic on Tuesday as Steven Sessegnon, Tom Pearce and Baba Adeeko replaced Sean Clare, Charlie Goode and Scott Smith.

Latics had their first attempt at goal on 12 minutes Jonny Smith cut in from the right and fired a strike at goal which goalkeeper Lukas Jensen punched away.

On 16 minutes Tom Pearce’s free-kick found its way to Charlie Hughes at the back post, but after cutting in on his right foot he dragged his effort narrowly wide.

Latics were enjoying plenty of possession and took the lead on 20 minutes after an impressive free-flowing counter-attack. 

Matt Smith, Hughes, Pearce and Aasgaard were all involved before Jonny Smith on the right cut inside and from 20 yards curled the ball, via a slight deflection into the far corner.

Lincoln responded and Mandroui forced an excellent save from Tickle low down to his right. Taylor followed up to convert the rebound, but the linesman flagged for offside.

Five minutes before half time the Imps drew level. Mandroiu picked the ball up inside the Latics half, drove forward and produced a fine low strike from 30 yards which found the bottom corner, despite Sam Tickle getting a hand to it.

Lincoln were boosted by the equaliser and Joe Taylor had a couple of chances before the break, first with a header which was well saved by Tickle before he had a volley which bounced into the ground and over the crossbar.

Latics started the second half strongly as Charlie Kelman had a shot well blocked by Lincoln skipper Paudie O’Connor.

Taylor was then slipped through one-on-one, but he had gone a fraction too early and was rightly flagged offside.

On 57 minutes Maloney decided to replace Kelman with Chris Sze.

On 62 minutes Latics had another let off when Reeco Hackett poked the ball home for the Imps, but the linesman again raised his flag, this time indicating the ball had gone out of play.

Maloney made another tactical substitution on 64 minutes with Scott Smith replacing the impressive Jonny Smith. 

The chances continued to flow at both ends with Aasgaard twice heading over and before Hughes blocked what looked like a certain Lincoln goal and then Lasse Sorensen headed over from close range.

Liam Morrison and Josh Magennis replaced Kerr and Godo on 71 minutes with Godo receiving a booking as he left the pitch.

The game continued to be an end to end affair and in the final minute of normal time Latics captain Hughes fired home a dramatic winner.

Sessegnon crossed from the left and the ball was cleared to Hughes on the edge of the box and he volleyed the ball into the corner despite the despairing hand of Jensen. Cue ecstatic scenes in the away end. 

In nine minutes of added time there were still chances for both teams as Hughes made a block at one end and Aasgaard was denied at the other end thanks to a diving save from Jensen.

Overview

This was a much improved performance by Latics, dominating possession and matching the play-off chasing Imps throughout the game. They did ride their luck a little with Lincoln having three goals disallowed but overall they had acquitted themselves very well.

Man of the match Jonny Smith’s superb goal was a particularly pleasing finish to a free-flowing team move. When Latics young team are on it they really can be unstoppable.

Latics generally defended well and captain Hughes once again showed that he is a tremendous talent who will eventually go on to play in the Premier League. Hopefully it won’t be next season though, as he could be so crucial to the club’s resurgence. 

Fortunately the club is in very good hands with Maloney and Gregor Rioch in charge. This season they  have managed through a major crisis, overcoming an eight point deduction and a transfer embargo. Building a good team with limited resources. Surely if they are given more resources next season they will be one of the challengers for promotion.

Latics on the attack at Lincoln

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards, Maloney said:

“The first 30 minutes were as high a level of football that we’ve had this season – it was brilliant. 

“I mention that we want to bring back the Wigan DNA, and you see that when you watch the first goal – it was an amazing goal and a joy to watch.”

Despite Latics already knowing that they will be playing League One football in 2024/25, Maloney was disappointed with how levels dropped but was equally as pleased to see them return against Charlton and Lincoln.

“I was honest with the team because the levels dipped after Blackpool, and then the last two games, they’ve been at the highest level. 

“Today, we had to put bodies on the line right to the end, and there were a few that really had to dig deep. There was a period where I had to take Charlie Kelman off because we lost control of the game, and then even though it took us so long to score, we tried to control against a very good side.” 

It’s a big three points for Latics ahead of the final two games, and Maloney reserved special praise for the travelling support.

“I appreciate the fans. I saw some last night and before the game today as they were staying near our hotel, but what more can I say about them – they know how I feel. 

“They knew me as a player and knew how hard I worked, and I’m doing everything I can to build this team back up.

“I don’t know when it will be, but I want to take them back to the level we were at last season in terms of the league, and I’ll do all I can to get them back there.” 

Player ratings

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