• Wigan Athletic were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Mansfield Town at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics enjoyed plenty of possession and threatened when Dion Rankine’s strike was well saved by Christy Pym.
• Against the run of play the visitors went ahead when Baba Adeeko surrendered possession and Will Evans fired into the top corner from 20-yards out.
• The hosts were denied a penalty in first half stoppage time when Joe Hugill appeared to be pulled back as he tried to get to a Pym fumble.
• Latics drew level on 53 minutes when Tyrese Francois’ cross was fired high into the net by Thelo Aasgaard.
• The Stags regained their lead nine minutes later when Aaron Lewis’ free-kick was headed down by Frazer Blake-Tracy for Keanu Baccus to finish clinically into the bottom corner.
• Latics pressed hard for a late equaliser but they just couldn’t penetrate the solid Mansfield rearguard.
• Wigan drop to 18th place and Mansfield remain in fourth place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made six changes from the starting XI which lost at Cambridge with Steven Sessegnon returning from injury alongside Joe Hugill. Tyrese Francois made his Latics league home debut, whilst Baba Adeeko, Thelo Aasgaard and Dion Rankine also came in.

Latics first good chance of the game came on 17 minutes as Thelo Aasgaard’s pass sent Dion Rankine through on goal, but he was denied by Mansfield goalkeeper Christy Pym.

Against the run of play, the visitors went ahead on 29 minutes. Adeeko surrendered possession in midfield and Evans curled a superb strike from 20 yards into the far corner.

Latics tried to respond and Aasgaard headed over the crossbar from a Silko Thomas left-sided cross.

The hosts should’ve had a penalty on the stroke of half time as Joe Hugill went down in the box with his shirt being pulled from behind, but the referee waved away the appeals.

Maloney made four changes at the break. Calvin Ramsay, Matt Smith, Michael Olakigbe and Dale Taylor all came on in place of James Carragher, Baba Adeeko, Silko Thomas and Hugill.

Latics were soon in the ascendancy as two of those changes Olakigbe and Taylor combined, but Taylor dragged his shot wide.

Latics’ excellent opening to the second half was rewarded as Francois pulled the ball back for Aasgaard, who fired into the roof of the net.

But once again against the run of play Mansfield re-took the lead nine minutes later as Aaron Lewis’ free-kick was headed down by Frazer Blake-Tracy towards Baccus who hit a first-time finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Latics continued to press forward and Matt Smith fired just wide of the target from the edge of the box. 

Aasgaard then had a big chance for Tics to draw level, but his shot unfortunately hit at a Latics player when it looked destined for the back of the net.

Lewis pinged a rare shot for the visitors just wide of the target.

Jonny Smith then forced a save from Christy Pym from distance.

Latics continued to dominate the ball, but they just couldn’t breakthrough a resolute Mansfield defensive backline.

Overview

It was frustrating result for Latics as on the balance of play they probably didn’t deserve to lose against Mansfield.

Latics enjoyed 65 per cent possession and had 22 shots compared to the visitors four but the Stags came away with the three points.

Mansfield had been clinical with their finishing while Latics missed some good opportunities and should’ve had a penalty when Hugill was pulled back in the box.

Latics had been tentative in the first half but they were much improved in the second half. They pressed higher up the pitch and got more players into forward positions. 

They deservedly got the equaliser through Aasgaard and looked like they would go on to win the game but Mansfield were once again clinical and scored against the run of play.

Maloney’s men continued to create some chances but Nigel Clough’s team defended in numbers and were not to be breached.

Clough was very honest in his analysis when interviewed afterwards: “That was a tough night as football-wise they were far superior to us.”

Latics currently have numerous injuries which are affecting the performances, but whatever team they put on the pitch they must play more on the front foot and press high like they did in the second half against Mansfield.

Post match comments 

Speaking to the media, Maloney wants to see his side build on their second-half performance and increase their productivity in the final third.

“It’s a difficult one,” he said.

“In this particular match, the assessment is different for each half. I really wasn’t happy with the first half – the first 10 minutes were fine because we were aggressive and showed intent.

“Out of possession, we were really poor. In the seven games we went undefeated, the biggest part was our intensity without the ball.

“We didn’t have that in the first half – it was a really bad goal that we lost but the biggest disappointment was how we let Mansfield grow into the game. 

“Everything became passive and a bit slow – and they went man-for-man. The second half was the complete opposite.

“I was really disappointed with the set-play goal but the actual performance in the second half – the intent and energy – was much better.

“Tactically, there wasn’t load which we had to change, but it was down to the individual performances of the lads who came on at half time.

“I want to win every game. The biggest frustration was the first half – I feel like we wasted a half and allowed Mansfield to grow into the game.

“I’ll start to work on Blackpool on Thursday. In both games, we’ve had lots of possession and I know there’s a certain DNA at the Club  – but I need more in the final third.

“I need more intent and a greater understanding of certain positions. I need a lot of what I saw in the second half.”

Speaking post-game, Maloney provided an injury update on Luke Chambers and Callum McManaman who are both sadly set for extended spells on the sideline.

“Since it’s a back injury, it’s not positive. It’s going to be a fair period of time that we won’t have him. He’ll go back to Liverpool and they’ll take over his rehab and treatment.”

“It’ll be a little while – it’s a blow for him and a blow for us.”

“Callum’s (McManaman) prognosis will be four-to-six weeks so it’s a longer injury.”

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