• Ryan Lowe’s Latics slipped to their first defeat in 10 games when they lost 2-0 to Leyton Orient at the BetWright Stadium (Brisbane Road).
• Latics had an early setback when James Carragher went off injured in the third minute and was replaced by Jon Mellish and then matters got worse as Steven Sessegnon chested the ball into his own net in the 18th minute.
• Latics were improved at start of the second half but the hosts doubled their lead with Josh Koroma’s excellent strike on the hour mark.
• Sessegnon and Latics’ day reached a nadir when the defender received a straight red card for foul on Connolly in the 85th minute and the game was effectively over as a contest.

Ryan Lowe named an unchanged starting XI against the O’s following the victory against Northampton Town last Saturday.

Latics had an early setback when James Carragher went off injured in the third minute and was replaced by Jon Mellish and then matters deteriorated further as Steven Sessegnon chested the ball into his own net in the 18th minute following a Koroma cross.

It was a scrappy first half with lots of free kicks. Latics just couldn’t get going and were a little lucky to go into the break only 1-0 down. Ollie O’Neill had forced a save from Tickle and Aaron Connolly fired wide from outside the box.

Lowe’s men were improved at the start of the second half. Christian Saydee picked up the ball on the edge of the box and did well to hold it up and play in Jensen Weir but the midfielder’s shot narrowly missed the target.

But just when the Tics were upping their game the O’s struck on the hour mark to make it 2-0.

Koroma found space on the edge of the box before producing a superb strike past Tickle.

Soon afterwards Tickle denied Diallang Jaiyesimi’s close-range effort.

In the 68 minute Asamoah Junior, Paul Mullin and Isaac Mabaya replaced Hungbo, Costelloe and Saydee as Lowe tried to get Latics back in the game.

The visitors committed numbers forward to try and reduce the deficit, but unfortunately they were down to ten men when Sessegnon was shown a straight red card for a last-man challenge on Connolly. 

The hosts ultimately ran out comfortable and deserved winners.

A below par performance from Latics who never recovered from a terrible start to the game.

Lowe’s men will quickly want to get back to winning ways when they face Notts County in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before they take on Peterborough United in League One on Saturday.

Overview

This was a very disappointing display by Latics after such an impressive performance against Northampton last Saturday. 

Clearly Leyton Orient are much tougher opposition than Northampton but Latics never really got started against last season’s play-off final losers.

The early injury to Carragher unsettled the team and Sessegnon’s early own goal made the challenge so much more difficult.

There were some positive signs at the start of the second half but Koroma’s excellent finish on the hour put paid to any Latics revival.

It was a disastrous day for Sessegnon and his late red card confirmed the feeling that it was a game he will not want to remember in a hurry.

It is too early to know the extent Carragher’s injury but at least Latics other injury problems in midfield are easing and in defence Morgan Fox should be available for selection and Will Aimson soon back from suspension.

Post match comments

Speaking to the media afterwards Lowe felt that the players fell below their usual standards and must strive to put things right. 

“I don’t want to disrespect Richie (Wellens) and Leyton Orient, but we beat ourselves,” he said.

“We didn’t compete enough – we’ll address it on Monday morning, but the fact of the matter is, if you don’t compete, you’re not going to win.

“Last week, we competed for everything. It was a big blow losing James Carragher early in the game, as it disrupted one or two things, and then the own goal gives you a sucker punch.

“Overall, I’m disappointed with the players. They need to own it because they’ve let us down and let the travelling fans down. Over 700 came down today – and we haven’t really competed or played, and that’s disappointing for me.

“Going from the levels of last week to not really performing to the levels that we can. We’re taking nothing away from Leyton Orient; they were aggressive, on the front foot, and wanted it more than us today.

“I had to apologise to the fans. It’s not good enough – that was an old Wigan Athletic performance. I’ve seen a different side today that I didn’t like. The fans have spent all their hard-earned money coming together – and we want them to come and support us.

“But the performance didn’t warrant that today – I was surprised so many fans stayed till the end. It was an apology from me and the players – they are good lads, but today, we were nowhere near the levels to win any game of football.

“The lads will be in tomorrow to recover, and we’ll put the game plan in place for Notts County. We can’t dwell on it – and we’ve got an opportunity to put it right.“

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