• Wigan Athletic’s poor home form continued as they lost 2-0 to promotion-chasing Stockport County at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics had showed some early promise with Jonny Smith going close. County responded and Sam Tickle had to make a big save to deny Ethan Pye.
• James Carragher then forced an important save from Ben Hinchliffe. At the other end Tickle had to make another brilliant save at close range to deny former Latic Callum Connolly.
• Latics should’ve have gone in front on 75 minutes when substitute Joseph Hungbo played in fellow substitute Ronan Darcy, but County’s substitute goalkeeper Corey Addai did superbly to save with his leg.
• On 79 minutes the visitors broke the deadlock as substitute Callum Camps’ cross was finished by substitute Lewis Bate before Will Collar sealed the three points from another Camps’ left-wing cross.
• Latics drop to 18th place and County are in fourth place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made one change from last weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Fulham, with Jon Mellish coming in for Luke Robinson at left-back.

The visitors had a very early chance when Iboi Touray tried his luck from distance. Tickle did well to react and he got a firm hand to the ball and Jason Kerr put the ball behind for a corner.

Latics then had a big chance as Mellish crossed and the ball reached Jensen Weir, but he blazed his effort wide of the target.

Jonny Smith then produced one of his typical strikes cutting inside from the right and firing a low shot which Hinchcliffe did well to tip round for a corner.

Tickle then had to come to Latics rescue saving well from Ethan Pye from close range following a free-kick.

Carragher then tested Hinchliffe with a volley from the edge of the box which the Stockport keeper saved with his legs. 

Soon afterwards Hinchcliffe had to withdrawn due to an injury and replaced by Addai. 

Latics threatened at the start of the second half as Dale Taylor saw his strike well saved by Addai.

At the other end Tickle did brilliantly to deny Connolly at close range.

Joseph Hungbo and Owen Dale replaced Jonny Smith and Asamoah Junior on 58 minutes.

Hungbo was soon causing plenty of problems for Stockport down their left side.

On 75 minutes Latics should’ve broken the deadlock when Hungbo played in Darcy, but Addai got a vital leg to his effort to divert the ball wide.

Soon afterwards the visitors were ahead as Camps’ cross from the left was met by Bate inside the box and he finished low past Tickle.

Just three minutes later County made it two and sealed the points as Camps crossed again this time for Collar to fire home at the far post.

Kerr thought he had pulled a goal back in the 90th minute but Addai once again denied Latics with a superb diving save.

Another frustrating home defeat for Latics who have only won four league games at the Brick Community Stadium all season.

Overview

Shaun Maloney may regret his starting lineup as Latics failed to capitalise on the attacking momentum they had built up in the second half against Fulham.

Latics had been impressive against Premier League opposition with Owen Dale and Ronan Darcy predominant but the new signings only started on the bench against County. 

An opportunity to take the game to County in the first half was wasted as Latics once again looked tentative.

Latics did improve in the second half and overall they had matched promotion-chasing County but the difference was that in the vital moments County took their chances and Latics didn’t.

Hinchcliffe and substitute goalkeeper Addai made some important saves but Latics just have to be more clinical in the final third. 

Maloney has had to contend with a lot of injuries this season and the churn of players has not helped the cause, but Latics have to improve in both boxes or they will be dragged into a relegation battle.

Tuesday night’s trip to fourth bottom Crawley now looks like a six-pointer with Latics looking over their shoulders.

Post match comments

Speaking post-game to the media Maloney spoke about the importance of improving their effectiveness in both boxes. 

“We had a massive chance at 0-0, and we had to take it,” he said.

“That was the difference in terms of the momentum of the game. We didn’t get our pressure right in the first half, and the second half was much better.

“The difference today was they were efficient with how they attacked our box, and we were the opposite. We had big chances, and we didn’t take them.

“Looking at ourselves, we have to defend their box better. As soon as we get the pressure right higher up, we have to defend our box better – that’s the reason we got beat today.

“For large parts of this game, the performance was good, but it’s the most critical areas that are costing us. 

“I’ve said this many times –  we’re creating many chances but not taking them. That’s been the story of our season.

“From a coaching point of view, there has to be a trust in the players that they will eventually take their chances, and create a squad that’s ruthless enough.”

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