• Wigan Athletic narrowly defeated Northampton Town 2-1 at the Brick Community Stadium in a thrilling game of two halves.
• Latics dominated the first half and could’ve been four or five goals ahead by half time.
• Thelo Aasgaard opened the scoring on 11 minutes and Jonny Smith doubled the lead on 18 minutes curling home a superb strike from 25-yards.
• Jonny Smith tormented the Cobblers defence in the first half and might’ve had a hat-trick himself. Dale Taylor had a strike just over and Jensen Weir had an effort cleared off the line.
• However, the second half was a different affair and the Cobblers got back in the game when substitute Tom Eaves finished at the back post.
• Liam McCarron had a great chance to level when clean through but Sam Tickle did very well to save.
• In stoppage time, Tickle again came to the rescue, as he diverted a dangerous effort away with his foot before making a miraculous save to deny substitute Sam Hoskins.
• Latics move up to 15th place and Northampton drop to 18th in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made three changes to the side that won at Barnsley, with Jensen Weir, Matt Smith, and Jonny Smith replacing Tyrese Francois, Baba Adeeko and Dion Rankine.

Latics started on the front foot and forced successive corners inside the first few minutes with Jonny Smith looking particularly dangerous down the right. 

The hosts first effort at goal came in the 10th minute when Silko Thomas cut inside and fired over.

A minute later and Latics were ahead. Taylor made a clever turn and slipped in Aasgaard who was through on goal. Aasgaard advanced and found corner of the net, via the hand of the goalkeeper.

The hosts were in dominant mode and they doubled their lead just seven minutes later as Jonny Smith picked the ball up on the edge of the box, cut inside and curled a stunning strike into the top corner.

It should’ve been three on 32 minutes when after great work by Toby Sibbick, Weir’s effort was cleared off the line.

Jonny Smith fired over on the volley at the back post before he cut in again on his left foot, but this time fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Latics really should’ve been out of sight by half time.

Northampton had rarely threatened in the first half although Mitch Pinnock volleyed well over in stoppage time.

The second half was a completely different affair as the visitors came out strongly.

Latics had a great chance to increase their lead when Weir got on the end of Sibbick’s cut back wide but he fired wide.

Northampton reduced the arrears on 56 minutes when a deep cross found substitute Tom Eaves at the back post and he fired past Tickle from close range.

The visitors then had a big chance to draw level with five minutes remaining when Will Aimson miss hit a back pass but Liam McCarron was denied by Tickle when one on one.

At the other end, Aasgaard from 20-yards nearly found the bottom corner but the Cobblers goalkeeper Lee Burge did well to save.

Latics were struggling to hold on and Tickle once again came to Latics rescue first saving with his feet and then producing a full length save to deny Sam Hoskins.

A game of two halves which few people could’ve predicted at half time.

A second consecutive victory for Latics but they had once again done it the hard way with a disappointing second half performance.

Overview

Maloney’s men should’ve been out of sight by half time after creating so many good chances with Jonny Smith in fantastic form.

A very patchy second half display meant Latics might’ve drawn or even lost the game as Northampton created several good goal scoring opportunities.

Sam Tickle saved Latics blushes in what would’ve been a devastating blow to their confidence if they had lost.

At the current time Latics often produce a good first half or second half performance but rarely do they produce a full 90 minute performance.

Maloney has a very young and inexperienced squad but if they are to become a good team they must learn to maintain the highest standards for the full duration of the game.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media, Shaun Maloney praised his side for their electric first-half display and for how they adapted to the momentum change in the second 45 following Tom Eaves’ goal. 

“The first half was as good as any performance that we’ve had,” he said.

“We were brilliant, and created enough chances to kill the game off. 

“I knew in the second half that Northampton Town would be more aggressive, and they really tried to hurt us with the long ball.

“It was tough, but the lads stood up. When they scored, it changed the momentum of the game. You’re never completely comfortable, but I thought we defended the long ball well. 

“I am really happy with the first half, and it’s now onto Saturday.”

After consecutive victories in the league, Latics will turn their attention to the Emirates FA Cup.  Maloney’s men will be determined to right the wrongs of their last two trips to the Cledara Abbey Stadium and progress into the Third Round of the competition. 

“The next game means the world to us in terms of the FA Cup. It’ll mean the exact same to Cambridge – we know what’s on the line.

“It’s a place we’ve struggled before but I’m not going to take a step back with how we play. Let’s see what we have – the FA Cup brings about special days – and hopefully Saturday is one for us.”

Player ratings