Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

BURTON ALBION vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

29^th April 2025

WIGAN SALVAGE THEIR UNBEATEN RUN WITH FORTUNATE LATE STRIKE.

Having named an unchanged side for the last four consecutive fixtures, Lowe opted to freshen things up for Wigans penultimate away day at the Pirelli stadium, making two changes from Saturday's 1-1 draw against Blackpool.

Toby Sibbick and Jonny Smith came in for the rested Jason Kerr and Luke Robinson, providing James Carragher with the opportunity to captain the Tics for the very first time.

The hosts, who were virtually safe for another season in Sky Bet League One, after a strong recent run of results, started strongly.

First ex- Bolton striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson had a header off target, before Charlie Webster fired over from distance after a break from midfield.

At the other end Jonny Smith had Wigans first attempt on target just before the half hour mark as a low drive from the edge of the box was collected by Max Crocombe.

Latics grew into the first half and had a sustained period of pressure inside the final eight minutes of the period as Asamoah had a goal-bound shot blocked in the box.

Half Time; Burton Albion 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

Both sides came out after the break with more attacking intent and both looked dangerous as Jonny Smith looked to get the better of his full back down the Latics right hand side. He put in a dangerous cross which Jon Mellish, at full stretch, could not convert.

But it was the home side who took the lead as substitute Mason Bennett’s volleyed shot was somehow kept out by Tickle, but BURRELL was there to volley in the rebound from close range. Burton began to look more comfortable and Jason Sraha’s header was well held by Tickle.

Ryan Lowe made a triple substitution with the aim of salvaging a result and it was two of those men that combined to set up Dale Taylor as Robinson’s cross was nudged on by Ronan Darcy, but Latics top scorer fired over.

Tickle came to Latics rescue again on 75 minutes to deny Burrell a second goal, this time with another strong right hand as he once again showed his undoubted class.

At the other end Crocombe got down low to deny Taylor after Darcy and Robinson combined again on the counter.

Latics continued to push and got their reward deep into injury time as DARCY whipped in a cross which was inches away from the head of Callum McManaman, but found its way into the far corner past a flat-footed and bemused home keeper.

Full Time; Burton Albion 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorer; Darcy (90+6); Burrell (57);

Attendance; 3,506

Teams; WIGAN— (3-4-2-1) Tickle; Carragher, Aimson, Sibbick; Adeeko, Weir, Mellish, Dale; J. Smith, Asamoah; Taylor; Subs: --- Watson, L. Robinson (for J. Smith), Darcy (for Mellish), Sze (for Dale), McManaman (for Aimson), McHugh (for Weir), Kerr;

BURTON ALBION--- (3-4-1-2) Crocombe; Delap, Sweeney, Armer; Dodgson, Chauke, Williams, Godwin-Malife; Burrell; Webster, Bodvarsson; Subs: --- Isted, Bennett (for Bodvarsson), Forde (for Webster), Fabio Tavares (for Burrell), Sraha (for Sweeney), Larsson, Kalinauskas;

Referee; Mr. Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire).