• In an end-to-end game nine-man Wigan Athletic succumbed to late pressure and were defeated 4-2 by Stockport County at Edgeley Park.
• Latics took the lead after only two minutes when Joe Taylor picked up a loose pass and showed great composure to slot past Ben Hinchliffe.
• County responded three minutes later when Brad Hills headed in Ollie Norwood’s free-kick from six-yards out.
• Latics restored their advantage in the 11th minute, Taylor once again showing great quality getting in front of the defender and heading home Fraser Murray’s cross.
• But the hosts drew level on 41 minutes when Adama Sidibeh got in front of Steven Sessegnon and headed in Jack Diamond’s cross.
• In the second half the game changed in County’s favour when Sessegnon was harshly sent off by referee Matthew Corlett for a shirt pull and second bookable offence on the hour mark.
• Latics eventually conceded in the 92nd minute of stoppage time as Wooton headed past Tickle.
• The visitors went down to nine men when Asamoah Junior was dismissed in the 94th minute for a reckless challenge and Wootton added a fourth in the 100th minute.
• Latics are now in 21st place and the Hatters are in fourth place in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell made three changes from the midweek victory over Luton Town, with Owen Moxon ineligible and Will Aimson and Raphael injured replaced by Steven Sessegnon, Matt Smith and Joe Hungbo. 

It was a high octane opening with two goals in the first five minutes. 

The Tics were ahead very early when Taylor picked up a loose pass in the middle of the pitch to drive towards goal. As Stockport tried to get back, the striker produced a composed finish, cutting back onto his left foot and slotting into the bottom left corner.

But Latics were soon undone as the hosts won themselves a free-kick in a dangerous area. Ollie Norwood whipped a curling ball into the danger zone, where Brad Hill relatively unchallenged headed past Sam Tickle from close range.

Latics regained the lead when Murray crossed from the left and Taylor got in front of his marker to head past Hinchcliffe. 

The visitors were now on top and creating chances. Christian Saydee picked up a loose ball and fired towards goal before Taylor nearly grabbed a hat-trick when he was through on goal but his back-heeled effort was denied by Hinchcliffe.

Stockport threatened when a corner routine found Ethan Pye for a strike at goal but Tickle reacted superbly to deny him.

Just before half-time Latics switched off and Stockport were level again. Diamond’s cross from the right reached Sidibeh, who got in front of Sessegnon and managed to direct his effort past Tickle. 

In the second half Wooton thtreatened with a header which was saved by Tickle. 

But the game turned in the hosts’ favouron the hour mark when Sessegnon was harshly penalised for a tug and referee Corlett gave a second yellow card and then red.

Latics were now under the cosh and they had to make several last-ditch challenges to keep out Stockport.

The hosts went close when Diamond floated a ball towards Tanto Olaofe, but he headed over the bar. 

Latics eventually succumbed to the pressure in the 92nd minute. 

Diamond crossed to the back post, where Wooton was waiting to head into the net.

Latics went down to nine men when Asamoah Junior was dismissed in the 94th minute for a reckless challenge and Wooton added a fourth in the 100th minute.

Overview

Joe Taylor gave Latics a fantastic start at Edgeley Park with an accomplished finish after only two minutes but the defence soon switched off and allowed the hosts a very quick equaliser.

Taylor then produced another quality finish with a fine header at the near post to restore the lead but the defence was again at fault for another equaliser.

Offensively Latics had been excellent in the first half with the Huddersfield loanee Taylor causing all kinds of problems for the hosts. 

Defensively Latics were vulnerable and unfortunately Sessegnon does not provide a physical presence in defence and the absence of Aimson and also the continued absence of James Carragher contributed to Latics defeat.

Referee Corlett didn’t do Latics any favours throughout and Sessegnon’s harsh dismissal was the big turning point in Stockport’s favour.

Overall Caldwell will be pleased with the work rate and forward play which had enabled them to match promotion chasing Stockport but the poor defending and indiscipline proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Post-match comments 

Speaking to the media afterwards Caldwell said:

“I thought we were excellent in the first half; we started so well. I think we have to be leading at half-time, we have to come in leading that game with how well we played, going forward in particular. 

“The goals we concede are poor, and it’s definitely something we have to work on, but I thought the players were superb in the first half, and felt in the second half, the week took its toll on a squad that’s been hit with players missing.”

The Head Coach also spoke about the application and approach from his players following his first week in the job, and his optimism for the weeks ahead.

“I thought the players’ effort this week has been incredible, and I said we’ve got two big weeks ahead of us now where we need to work on the training ground to fix some of the problems we’ve got in our game.

“I can be pleased with the effort and commitment the players have shown this week. Everyone is fully engaged, and everyone is trying their best, which is great. 

“Now we have to get into the details on the training pitch and work on some of the parts of our game that need to be better. 

“There were so many positive parts to the game, some of the attacking play and some of our passing today were excellent in that first half against a side that is sitting in the top three or four in the league. We can take positives, but there are definitely areas we have to work on.”

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