Wigan lucky to beat Huddersfield

Huddersfield failed to follow up victory over Leeds with a win at Wigan but they were the architects of their own downfall.

Town gifted Wigan an opener from a corner as Joel Lynch was outmuscled by Barnett who had the simple task of nodding home at the near post.

Huddersfield fought back and when Oliver Norwood brought the Terriers level on the stroke of half-time it appeared the tide had swung in the visitors favour.

Danny Ward & Norwood again both brought fine saves out of Wigan keeper Nicholls but it was Wigan that claimed all three points as another howler gifted them a second goal.

Town were caught dithering around at the back and as Jordi Gomez closed down and robber Peter Clarke of the ball just outside of his own area, he fed Nick Powell, who smashed the ball past a helpless Alex Smithies.

Wigan, who looked shaky at the back, hung onto the win as Town huffed & puffed for an equaliser but sadly it wasn’t to be

Player Ratings

Alex Smithies

Not much he could have done about either goal, but an otherwise un-troubled afternoon

Jazz Richards

Improving but certainly doesn’t offer what Jack Hunt did as an attacking right back in a back 4

Peter Clarke

Caught in possession for Wigan’s second, and winning, goal.

Joel Lynch

I think it was Lynch that lost his man for Wigan’s opener at the corner.

Paul Dixon

Another decent display from the Scotland left back

Jon Hogg

Things went a bit downhill after his withdrawal through injury, hopefully he isnt out for long

Keith Southern

Perhaps surprise inclusion again as Town went with a defensive shaped midfield, showed his experience but tired before being substituted.

Oliver Norwood

A first goal since the home defeat to Watford last season

Danny Ward

Town fans on Twitter had been calling for Ward to be substituted for Scannell when Hammill was subbed.

Adam Hammill

Unfortunately will be remembered for his on-field tantrum at being substituted. Had played fairly well.

Jon Stead

He knows it’s the end of his career, can’t last 90 minutes and give an effective performance. Puts in his all but looked lost up front and a lack of service showed.

Oscar Gobern

Booked but did okay

Sean Scannell

Tried to effect the game from the bench but wasn’t to be

Owen Coyle

Came on to make his league debut

Mark Robins
“We gifted them two goals, which is the major disappointment,”

“We should have got something from the game and we have to learn not to give cheap chances away. Players like Nick Powell will take advantage of any opportunity.

“In the end we probably didn`t deserve to get the point because of our sloppiness. We need to choose better options because at the moment they are costing us. We can be fairly pleased with our afternoon`s work, but still very disappointed.

“At times I thought we were good, though,” he added. “To come to a place like this, enjoy good possession and create chances is excellent, although at times we were a little bit reticent to go forward. I would have liked to see us attack Wigan more, but we are a working progress.

“When we believed in ourselves we put Wigan on the back foot, but we didn`t do that enough.”

Owen Coyle
‘I thought the first half was very much a controlled performance,’ the Wigan boss said.

‘With a bit of luck we could have had two or three goals, such was our quality.

‘Their goal wasn’t even going in before it hit the heel of Ryan Shotton and deceived Lee Nicholls, who looked good value for another clean sheet.

‘What we had to do in the second half was win the game again and we did that thanks to a great goal from Nick Powell.

‘The lead we had was fragile but I thought we should have had a couple of penalties in the game.

‘Marc-Antoine Fortune is clearly pulled over in the first half, whether the referee can’t see that I don’t know.

‘Then in the second half, Marc Albrighton has put the ball past their defender who has absolutely cemented him.

‘We’ve certainly not had our fair share of decisions this season and we had to stand up and be counted late on.

‘Even then we could have added to our lead and, given the workload we’ve had, I was delighted with the three points.’