• Wigan Athletic’s ten year derby day dominance of Bolton Wanderers came to an end when the visitors grabbed a late winner at the Brick Community Stadium.
• In a tense derby game of poor quality both teams struggled to create many chances.
• In the first half the visitors Joel Randall saw a shot diverted just past the post by Will Aimson and the hosts Asamoah Junior headed off target from a great position.
• Latics struggled to create any chances in the second half but Wanderers George Thomason’s long-range shot was tipped over by Sam Tickle and George Johnston volleyed wide from a good position.
• Just when it looked like the points would be shared Latics failed to clear a Wanderers corner and Chris Forino poked the ball home from close range.
• A subsequent altercation in the technical area resulted in Latics Head Coach Ryan Lowe being given a red card.
• Latics remain in 18th place and Wanderers move up sixth in the League One table. 

Head Coach Lowe made two changes to the team from the draw with Barnsley with Asamoah Jr and Harry McHugh starting.

Both sides pushed to create early opportunities with first Aaron Collins slipped in behind the Latics defence, but Aimson covered the danger. At the other end Asamoah Jr broke forward but a covering Bolton defender snuffed out the threat.

Aimson then did well to divert Randall’s 20 yard strike which drifted just wide of Sam Tickle’s far post.

Jonny Smith tried his luck from distance via a free-kick which was straight at keeper Nathan Baxter.

Asamoah Jr then had the best chance of the half just three minutes before the interval. 

Jonny Smith broke down the left and put over a great cross, but Asamoah couldn’t keep his header down and the ball flew wide of the target.

The visitors had the first effort of the second half as Johnston tested Tickle from distance before Thomason headed over from the resulting corner.

John McAtee then headed over a Josh Dacres-Cogley cross before Collins had a shot deflected inches wide.

Latics were struggling to create opportunities but they threatened when Owen Dale crossed for Asamoah Jr who was inches away from getting on the end of it.

Wanderers had a brilliant opportunity when Dacres-Cogley found space on the right and crossed to the back post for Johnston, but the former Latic loanee could only volley wide.

Just when it looked like the points would be shared the visitors snatched the three points in the 93rd minute.

Following a corner Latics failed to clear and Forino poked the ball into the corner of the net to give Wanderers a rare victory on derby day.

Overview 

This was a derby game of poor quality with both teams struggling to create chances.

Latics are still struggling with injuries and they lack a cutting edge. But Wanderers also looked unconvincing as a team who are pushing for the playoffs.

It’s early days for Lowe’s Latics but the long ball tactics on the night failed to cause the visitors many problems.

Latics failed to threaten in the second half and Wanderers were rewarded as they did exert some pressure towards the end of the game.

It was a frustrating night for Latics as the first derby day defeat in 10 years was further compounded by Lowe’s red card.

Latics must now recover quickly from this setback and ensure they start to pick up some positive results to avoid getting dragged into a relegation scrap.

Post match comments

Taking media duties following Ryan Lowe’s late dismissal, First Team Coach Glenn Whelan gave an honest assessment of the Sky Bet League One fixture to the media.

“Losing any game is disappointing – but the way we did so late on in the game was a real kick in the teeth. 

“You’ve got to give credit to our lads – we dug in unbelievably well and created a lot of chances.

“We had a derby feel about us today – and there wasn’t much given considering both managers know each other really well.

“There wasn’t much in it and a few ricochets in and around the box, and unfortunately for us, they managed to sneak a late one.

“It’s disappointing to lose any game, but we’ve got to keep our heads up and take the positives. 

“We want to thank the fans. They came out in their numbers, and even after we conceded, they still stayed in their numbers.

“We’re all really disappointed because it’s the one you want to win and come away with praise. 

“Unfortunately today wasn’t meant to be. There’s a lot of football still to be played, and we need to turn things around quickly.”

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