• Wigan Athletic condemned Northampton Town to a likely relegation and improved their own chances of survival with a 3-1 victory at the Sixfields Stadium.
• The visitors took an early lead when Callum Wright finished well from Matt Smith’s intelligent through ball.
• Latics were dominating possession and creating chances but they survived a scare when Dean Campbell played through former Latic Michael Jacobs, who was denied by Sam Tickle.
• The visitors doubled their lead just before half-time when the Cobblers captain Jon Guthrie diverted Fraser Murray’s corner into his own net.
• Jake Evans gave Northampton some hope late on after he was allowed to wriggle through the Latics defence but Will Aimson settled the visitors nerves in the 88th minute from another Murray corner and seal a crucial three points.
• Latics move up to 18th place and Northampton remain in 23rd place in the League One table.

Gary Caldwell named an unchanged side from their draw with Leyton Orient with Harrison Bettoni & Morgan Fox replacing Llyton Chapman & Owen Moxon (Illness) on the bench. 

Latics started on the front foot, and the first chance of the game came when Murray crossed towards the edge of the six-yard box, Joe Taylor looked to head into the bottom corner, but Joe Burge saved the header.

Against the run of play, the hosts had a great chance to go ahead when Evans crossed towards the back post, where Tickle could only palm into the path of Cameron McGeehan, who directed the ball goalwards, but Tickle was able to scramble back and save.

The Cobblers were quickly left to rue the opportunity and Smith slid an incisive pass into Wright, who took one touch inside the box and curled in off the far post. 

Northampton had another great chance soon afterwards when former Latic Jacobs was allowed through on goal and he really should’ve scored but Tickle got down low to save.

It was imperative that Latics got another goal to consolidate the lead and it arrived somewhat fortuitously when Murray swung a corner into the danger zone, and the ball bounced off Guthrie and into the back of the net. 

Northampton upped their game in the second half as Latics sat back at times. 

But the visitors went closest when Smith curled an effort towards the top corner only for a Northampton defender to head away. 

With nine minutes of normal time remaining the hosts reduced the deficit.

Evans was disappointingly allowed to wriggle through the centre of the Latics defence before slotting home and make the remaining minutes nervy for the Latics supporters.

However, with two minutes of normal time remaining Latics eased their nerves when Murray’s corner was headed on by Jason Kerr and into the path of Aimson, who fired into the corner of the net. 

Cue wild celebrations from the 700 Tics supporters in the away end.

Overview

This was crucial three points for Caldwell’s men in their quest for League One survival.

Latics had started the game strongly with Wright and Murray predominant and benefited from an early lead but they were lucky to survive a couple of scares from McGeehan and Jacobs.

Against more clinical opponents they could easily have been behind at half-time. Northampton are a poor side and low on confidence, but Latics gave them opportunities. Against a better team Latics might’ve struggled.

This victory has moved Caldwell’s men a little away from the drop zone but the job is not yet complete and they must continue to work hard to secure their League One status in the last five games of the season.

Post-match comments

Afterwards Caldwell credited the players for their effort and application, particularly in the first period, where they showed real glimpses of quality.

“It’s a massive result,” he told the media.

“I thought the first half performance was excellent – right from the very start, we kept the ball, passed forward, and created opportunities.

“We scored two very good goals – one from open play, and one from a set piece, which we’ve been doing more and more work on. 

“In the second half, we always expect a reaction from the opposition and still think we can be better in moments. When the pressure came, we raised our levels again and scored another goal from a set piece.

“I am delighted with the players’ effort and application in achieving a massive result.”

Player ratings