Ronan Darcy scored a very late equaliser for Latics

• A lacklustre Wigan Athletic grabbed a very late equaliser at Burton Albion to extend their unbeaten run to seven games under Head Coach Ryan Lowe.
• Burton needed a point to guarantee their League One status for next season and in a game of poor quality they went ahead on 57 minutes when Rumarn Burrell followed up after Sam Tickle had made a brilliant save to deny Mason Bennett.
• Burrell had a great chance to double the Brewers’ lead soon afterwards but Tickle made an important one handed save to deny him.
• Latics huffed and puffed and it looked as though the Brewers would take the three points until substitute Ronan Darcy’s cross in the 96th minute evaded substitute Callum McManaman but also the Brewers goalkeeper Max Crowcombe and ended in the corner of the net.
• Latics are now in 16th place with one game remaining. The Brewers are in 20th place and have now confirmed their League One status. Bristol Rovers, Crawley Town, Cambridge United and Shrewsbury are the relegated teams from League One.

Latics Head Coach Lowe made two changes to the team which had drawn with Blackpool at the weekend with Toby Sibbick and Jonny Smith replacing captain Jason Kerr and Luke Robinson. James Carragher was given the opportunity to captain the Latics for the very first time.

The hosts were the first to threaten on 15 minutes when Charlie Webster drove forward before firing a dipping strike which just cleared Tickle’s crossbar.

Latics were struggling to create any chances until on the half hour mark Jonny Smith had the first attempt on target with a low drive from the edge of the box which was comfortably saved by Crocombe.

Towards the end of the half Asamoah Jr had a goal-bound shot blocked after Will Aimson headed the ball back to him, but it had been a poor first half performance by the visitors.

Burton showed more urgency and desire to get forward in the second half and they were duly rewarded when they took the lead on 57 minutes as substitute Mason Bennett’s volleyed shot was brilliantly kept out by Tickle, but Burrell was on hand to volley in the rebound from close range.

Lowe made a triple substitution on 65 minutes with Weir, Mellish and Jonny Smith being replaced by Harry McHugh, Luke Robinson and Ronan Darcy.

The hosts had an opportunity to double their lead on 75 minutes but Tickle produced a strong one-handed save to deny Burrell.

At the other end Crocombe did superbly to deny a low drive from Taylor after good work by Darcy and Robinson. 

Latics were still struggling to create many chances as the the game moved into six minutes of added time but just when it looked like the Brewers would take all three points, Darcy’s cross evaded the head of substitute McManaman and goalkeeper Crowcombe but found its way into the far corner of the net. 

Overview

Burton have now achieved League One safety after appearing certain relegation candidates earlier in the season. Great credit should go to Gary Bowyer and his players for achieving a remarkable turn around in their fortunes since he took over as manager in December.

This was a very disappointing display by Latics after some good recent performances.

Latics lacked any creativity and cohesion and once again posed only a very limited attacking threat. Admittedly its near the end of the season and the club have little play for in terms of promotion or relegation, but this was a poor showing. 

In fact this performance reinforced the view that many of the players on show wouldn’t be at the club next season. 

Some of the players contracts have come to an end and the loan players will be returning to their host clubs but some others will surely leave for other reasons. 

It’s clear that Head Coach Lowe has a big task to rebuild the playing squad during the close season if Latics are to challenge next season. 

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards Ryan Lowe credited the players for fighting until the very end at the Pirelli Stadium. 

“They’ve shown that spirit for me and for the staff in the last two months,” he said.

“They’ve been excellent in that. There were some good moments in there – we felt comfortable in the game and knew what Burton were trying to do. 

“They were going long, trying to get a point to stay in the division. A massive well done to them – Gary Bowyer has done a fantastic job.

“We got dragged into a fight, and we can’t go down to that level. If we move the ball quickly at certain times and in certain areas, we can cause any team problems. 

“We made a last throw of the dice and changed the shape with lots of attackers. Low and behold, Ronan (Darcy) dinks one into the box and it goes all the way in.

“The lads gave us everything. We just need to have a bit more belief with the ball. When we play with more belief, we’ve shown we’re a good team.

“It’s another one game unbeaten – that’s seven now. I said to the lads, I want to go unbeaten for the rest of the season and it’s an extra point for us to get to where we want to get to.

“Effort, desire, and commitment – the lads always give it. It’s all a learning curve still. In the last two months, there’s been a change of manager, change in style, and change of identity and they’re giving everything.“

James Carragher captained the Football Club for the very first time at Burton Albion following the decision to rest Jason Kerr, and the Latics Gaffer expressed it was a really proud moment for everyone connected to Wigan Athletic.

“James Carragher has gone away and got international recognition, and for him now to captain his team is really special.

“For him to come through the ranks, that’s what we want at this Football Club. He’s vocal, brave, and gets on the ball. That was a captain’s, warrior performance, and he gives us that most weeks.

“It was a a proud moment for him and his family, and the Football Club. For one of our own to be the captain in a League One fixture should show what the Academy has achieved.”

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