• Despite an improved performance Wigan Athletic suffered a late 2-1 defeat to former manager Leam Richardson’s Reading at the Brick Community Stadium.
• It looked as though Latics had gone ahead when Harrison Bettoni produced a fine angled finish on four minutes but his strike was ruled out for offside.
• Latics showed more determination than in recent games but they fell behind early in the second half when Jeriel Dorsett headed home from close range.
• Substitute Joe Taylor poached Latics level on 66 minutes from Fraser Murray’s left-wing cross.
• Fellow substitute Raphael produced a superb run and shot which was tipped around the post by Joel Pereira as Latics searched for a winner.
• But it was Reading who sealed the three points with four minutes remaining when Paudie O’Connor headed home a right-wing free-kick from six yards.
• Latics are now in 21st place and Reading are in 11th place in the League One table.

Interim Head Coach’s Graham Barrow and Glenn Whelan made five changes to the side that faced Peterborough at the weekend, including the return of captain Jason Kerr. Jensen Weir returned for Owen Moxon, while Fraser Murray, Harrison Bettoni, and Christian Saydee replaced Joe Hungbo, Raphael and Joe Taylor. 

Latics started brightly and they thought they’d gone ahead after just four minutes when Bettoni produced a fine angled finish past Pereira, but the flag was up for offside.

Bettoni then had another chance when played through by Matt Smith but he fired wide of the target.

The Royals threatened just before the half-time whistle when a host of shots came in from Haydon Roberts and Jack Marriott, but Will Aimson made some heroic blocks to save Latics.

The final chance of the half fell to Callum Wright on the edge of the area who hit a half volley just over the bar. 

Early in the second half the Royals broke the deadlock when Kamasi Doyle’s cross found Dorsett at the back post, who was was able to head into back of the net. 

Soon afterwards Doyle tried his luck from the edge of the area before Lewis Wing had a similar effort fly over the crossbar.

Substitutes Taylor and Dara Costelloe replaced Saydee and Bettoni on 56 minutes. 

It was Taylor who showed his goal poaching skills to draw Latics level on 66 minutes.

Murray cut inside and floated a cross into the danger zone and Taylor nipped in front of Pereira and cleverly flicked the ball into the net.

Latics went close soon afterwards when a quick free-kick set Raphael free, the Coventry City loanee burst down the left, before striking a low effort at goal, which Pereira managed to tip around the post.

But Latics were to suffer late heartache as the visitors clinched the three points with just four minutes remaining.

A free-kick from the right was swung into the area by the Royals captain Wing, where O’Connor was waiting to rise and head into the far corner of the net. 

Latics next have the small matter of a trip to the Premier League leaders Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round to contend with.

Overview

This was a much improved performance after Saturday’s debacle at Peterborough. From the kick off Latics were much more determined and competitive.

Interim Coach’s Barrow and Whelan had them well organised and returning captain Jason Kerr made a difference in defence.

Overall on the balance of play they probably deserved at least a draw but when you are struggling in the relegation zone luck can often go against you. 

Latics board are currently interviewing candidates to replace Ryan Lowe for the Head Coach role and whoever gets the role must quickly motivate and instil the confidence to pick up the points for survival. 

It’s imperative that the board make the right appointment at this time. Another bad appointment and Latics will be in League Two next season.

Latics have enough quality in the squad to survive, but they need someone who is not only a good coach but also someone who has real affinity with the club.

Of the current contenders Gary Caldwell is probably the best fit for the role.

Post-match comments

Interim Head Coach Barrow spoke to the media afterwards. He was disappointed that Latics didn’t pick up any points from the League One encounter. 

“Before the game, we were looking for a win. The way the game went, with them scoring the first goal, to come back to 1-1, you probably would’ve taken the draw,” he said.

“We did look like we could go on and win the game. It’s not luck that they scored the second goal, but more something that we have to put right.

“We’ve been soft in those areas, so we’ll work on that, but overall it was a real improvement in performance. That’s the most positive thing to come out of it.

“Reading are a decent side and coached well, but we had our own fair share of territory. 

“It’s just about improving in both boxes. In the second half, when Joe Taylor came on, there was a real positivity in attack

“I knew the fans would be behind us – it’s how it has got to be, but we have to give them something to shout about.

“It’s great when they are behind us, and looking forward, that’s the way it’s got to be. We have to stick together to get out of this trouble we are in.”

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