• In a hard-fought game Wigan Athletic were held to a 0-0 draw by league leaders Stevenage at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics were left to rue their chances in a game of few chances. In the first half  Dara Costelloe had a shot blocked before Jensen Weir sliced an effort wide of the post.
• At the other end, Gassan Ahadme’s header was tipped over by Sam Tickle and later the Latics keeper turned Jamie Reid’s effort around the post.
• The hosts might’ve had a penalty just before half-time when Callum Wright was hauled down by Dan Sweeney, but referee Ross Joyce waved away the appeals.
• Latics had two great opportunities in the final fifteen minutes but Fraser Murray and substitute Harrison Bettoni were unable to make their headers count.
• Latics drop to 17th place and Stevenage slip to second place in the League One table.

Ryan Lowe named an unchanged starting XI from their 2-1 victory at AFC Wimbledon last weekend. 

Latics started the game on the front foot with Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Murray both sending inviting crosses into the box, but they came to no avail.

The visitors were a threat from set-pieces and Tickle had to be on his toes to deny their aerial threat.

At the other end of the field, Costelloe’s shot was blocked before Weir sliced an effort wide of the post.

The visitors threatened when a miscued clearance fell kindly to Jamie Reid 12 yards out, but Tickle was quick off his line to block the strike.

The hosts had a great opportunity when Murray’s corner from the right was met by Jason Kerr inside the six-yard box, but Filip Marschall did well to get down low to keep it out.

Stevenage’s best opportunity of the half came when Reid’s goal-bound flick was turned around the post by the agile Tickle.

Latics might’ve had a penalty just before half-time when Wright was hauled down by Sweeney, but referee Joyce waved away the appeals.

The second half started slowly but Latics gradually built momentum and started to dominate possession.

Chances were few and far between but when they came it was for Latics.

The best opportunity of the game came on 83 minutes. Fox’s inviting cross from the left found the run of Murray, who glanced his header agonisingly wide.

Substitute Harrison Bettoni then had a good chance but the 18-year-old misdirected his header well wide of the target and the game finished level.

Overview

Before the game a draw with the league leaders would’ve been perceived as a good result but on the balance of play Latics will feel aggrieved that they didn’t take all three points.

Stevenage are well-drilled and physical opponents but as the game went on Latics gained control and were the team most likely to take all three points.

It was obvious that the visitors were happy with a point given their time-wasting tactics in the second half.

Murray and Bettoni had great opportunities to make the breakthrough but chances just aren’t being taken at the moment.

Lowes’s men really do lack a cutting edge. Saydee, Costelloe, Mullin, and Murray are all struggling for goals. 

Latics are now seven games unbeaten but if the draws had been converted into wins they would now be sitting in a strong position in the table.

If they can find that cutting edge they will surely start climbing the table.

The quest for goals continues on Tuesday night when they host Burton Albion at the Brick.

Post match comments

Afterwards Lowe spoke to the media, and he praised the efforts and endeavour of his players in what was a real battle against a resilient Stevenage, and expressed the importance of building on their seven-match unbeaten run next time out. 

“We had the best chances to go and win it,” Lowe said.

“We didn’t have much quality in the final third – whether that was crosses, little pull-backs and sets to finish.

“We knew Stevenage were going to be difficult to break down. I can’t fault the lads’ efforts – it was a battle out there.

“We knew we’d be coming up against the land of giants. Alex (Revell) has got his team really set up – they are solid, resolute and don’t concede many goals.

“We knew it was going to be one of these days where we needed to have a moment of quality to break them down. 

“I thought we had it when Fraser Murray flicked his header wide, but I can’t complain. The lads have been excellent. 

“It’s a point – and another point. You don’t want to lose any games of football.

“Stevenage were top of the league for a reason, but we need to be better in certain areas. I am disappointed we haven’t got two more points – but I can’t complain because the lads have been excellent, and I have to give credit to Stevenage. 

“We can be a match for anyone in this league. If we have a bit more belief and desire, I believe we can score these goals as we are creating the chances. 

“It’s another draw and clean sheet – and we’ve got another important game on Tuesday night. 

“If we take three points in that game, it bodes well for the weekend.”

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