Ollie Cooper fires home Latics’ equaliser. Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic.

• Wigan Athletic came from behind to draw 1-1 with Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium.
• In a lacklustre first half the Stags went ahead when Nathan Miriam-Welsh right wing cross found Will Evans at the back post and he drilled his shot past Sam Tickle.
• Latics were much improved in the second half and it looked like they had equalised on 53 minutes when Will Aimson volleyed home from a corner. But referee Seb Stockbridge controversially disallowed the goal for a push by Christian Saydee in the box.
• Latics were not to be denied however and Ollie Cooper drew Latics level five minutes later when fired home from Morgan Fox’s through ball.
• The Stags tried to regain the lead and they forced a succession of corners but Latics held firm to gain another point on the road.
• Latics are now in 13th place and Mansfield are in eighth place in the League One table.

Ryan Lowe made one change from the victory against Port Vale with Jensen Weir replacing the suspended Dara Costelloe. James Carragher returned from injury and was named on the bench.

Latics started brightly and Matt Smith had an early sighter of the Mansfield goal but his shot went wide.

The visitors best chance of the half came when a Fraser Murray free-kick from the left nearly found Aimson at the back post but he was inches away from making contact.

The Stags went ahead on 32 minutes when Nathan Miriam-Welsh right wing cross found Will Evans at the back post and he drilled his shot past Sam Tickle.

It was an underwhelming first half by Latics and most people expected changes at half-time but Lowe persisted with the same line-up, and fortunately they were much improved in the second half.

Aimson thought he brought the game back level when he volleyed Murray’s cross home, but the goal was controversially disallowed by referee Stockbridge for an alleged foul in the box by Saydee.

Latics were not be denied however and they deservedly made their pressure count and equalised in the 58th minute.

Cooper scored his first goal for the club when he latched onto Fox’s through ball powering his strike into the bottom corner past Liam Roberts.

Latics were now on top and looking to take the lead but the hosts went very close when substitute Regan Hendry’s strike from the edge of the box took a deflection off Fox and struck the outside of the post. 

Both sides battled for possession and the game became quite scrappy. Asamoah Junior replaced Cooper on 79 minutes, Paul Mullin replaced Saydee on 82 minutes and James Carragher replaced Wright in added time. 

The Stags exerted late pressure and forced a succession of corners but Latics held firm to gain another point on the road.

Overview

Latics produced a disappointing first half performance which had lacked any real attacking threat. They had clearly set up to defend against Nigel Clough’s in-form team who were looking to move nearer the play-off zone.

Latics second half performance was much improved and if it had not been for referee Stockbridge they might have come away with all three points. Latics have not had any luck with referees this season and this was another example of where they were hard done to.

Having watched the incident back several times it’s hard to understand Stockbridge’s decision. Saydee was battling for position with two Mansfield defenders one of whom threw himself to the floor and referee Stockbridge duly obliged and disallowed a perfectly good goal by Aimson.

Lowe’s men had showed good resilience in the latter stages of the second half and it was important that they did not concede despite some late Mansfield pressure.  The backline performed to a high standard with Morgan Fox probably having his best game in Latics colours. 

Worryingly Latics still haven’t won away from home this season. If they are to have a successful season the sooner they can get that away win the better.

Next up for Lowe’s men is a potential banana skin against Hemel Hempstead Town in the FA Cup. The manager must field his strongest team against the non-league outfit. The players mustn’t be complacent and they must ensure they make progress in a competition the club is famous for. 

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards, Lowe praised the character of his team and believes that elusive first win on the road is just around the corner.

“I thought the lads were excellent, especially in the second half,” he told the media.

“We should’ve won if truth be known. I’m not going to beat around the bush; it’s an outstanding set-play, and we’ve been undone by a decision that was never a foul.

“The lads showed real guts and desire to get back in the game, and keep the back door shut. We knew they were going to throw everything at us.

“The first half was even, and we were done after we got bodies forward too soon and didn’t secure the ball.

“We told them that they needed to get up to the ball better in the second half, and be on the front foot more. They did that in the second half for large parts until they put the pressure on after our goal.

“I can’t complain – I would’ve loved three, but it’s a point in the right direction. 

“As always, the fans were rallying us through. That’s what the players need – and the fans understand that. I believe the away win is definitely coming.”

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