Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 4^th October 2025

BATTLING LATICS GRAB A HARD-EARNED POINT TO STOP THE ROT.

Wigan Athletic got their 2025/26 Sky Bet League One back on track with a hard-fought draw at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon. 

Latics had fallen to three consecutive defeats but the spirit of Ryan Lowe's side has never dampened, and they enjoyed a productive trip to Home Park in Devon, where they produced a resolute away performance. 

In a showing of character and resilience, Latics rescued a point through Fraser Murray's fifth goal of the season, cancelling out Lorent Tolaj's controversial 70th minute penalty.

Ryan Lowe made a return to his old stomping ground, having previously spent two and a half successful years in charge at Home Park between June 2019 and December 2021. 

Lowe made a lot of happy memories during his managerial stint in Devon, having helped the Pilgrims to win promotion from League Two during his debut season, and he then played a huge part in the home sides eventual ascent into the Championship. 

The 47-year-old managed to enjoy a positive training week with his team in the build-up to the encounter, taking the time to review their previous performances and talk with the players in the hope of turning recent fortunes around. The three consecutive defeats - including a Derby Day reverse against Bolton Wanderers had naturally taken its toll, but the mood remained upbeat at the training ground with a real focus on resilience. In order to aid their preparations, Lowe, his coaching staff, and the team flew to Plymouth on Friday afternoon. The aim on the day was to reward the 500-plus fans who made the long-haul trip, and the Latics boss shuffled his pack with five changes from their last league outing against Cardiff City.  Steven Sessegnon and Luke Robinson replaced Morgan Fox (suspended) and Joe Hungbo in the backline, while Jensen Weir and Ollie Cooper were handed starting berths in the engine room in place of Ryan Trevitt (injured) and Callum Wright (ineligible). The final change saw Raphael Borges Rodrigues come in for Paul Mullin, who was named on the bench after being forced off with a knock against the Bluebirds. 

Wigan started on the front foot and pressed high in the Plymouth half and their relentless approach resulted in a number of early half chances.

A Matt Smith ball from the right went just wide of Conor Hazard's post, while Murray was just unable to direct Weir's wicked ball onto the target. 

Argyle grew into the game and a slick training ground move following a corner saw the lively Lorent Tolaj hook in a first-time effort that crashed against the Wigan crossbar.

It was a tight first half consisting of not many goal-scoring opportunities for either side, and the last sniff at goal came once again from Tolaj, who saw a curling free-kick sail over the crossbar and behind for a Latics goal-kick.

Half Time; Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Wigan Athletic.

The cagey nature continued until well after the hour mark, when Latics began to impose themselves on the hosts. A Smith ball found the feet of Saydee inside the area, and the powerful forward rolled his man before forcing Hazard to make a low save down to his right. 

Against the run of play, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. Will Aimson was somewhat harshly alleged to have committed a foul from an Argyle corner, and TOLAJ sent his cheeky Panenka spot-kick over the diving Tickle.

The response was exactly what Ryan Lowe would have wanted, with Latics levelling it up with eight minutes left to play. Raphael and Saydee pounced on some sloppy Plymouth passing before linking up to slide a pass through to MURRAY, who gave Hazard no chance with a powerful finish.

From this point onwards, Latics showed a real level of belief and gave everything to try and find the all-important winner. Murray curled a free-kick just wide of the post, while Weir saw a low, thrashing drive pushed frantically away by Hazard.

At the other end, Argyle still posed an aerial threat, but Latics held without any major alarms to claim a hard-earned point.

Full Time; Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Murray (82); Tolaj (70, pen).

Attendance; 16,062

Wigan Athletic (4-2-3-1) --- Tickle; Sessegnon, Kerr, Aimson, Robinson; M. Smith, Weir; Cooper, Murray, Borges-Rodriguez; Saydee; Subs--- Savin (G), Hungbo (for Robinson), Mullin (for Cooper), McManaman (for Borges Rodriguez), Brenan, Asamoah, Rogers;

Plymouth Argyle (3-4-2-1) ---- Hazard; Wiredu, Ross, Galloway; Sorinola, McCabe, Boateng, Mumba; Oseni, Finn; Tolaj; Subs--- Pepple (for Oseni), Paterson (for McCabe), Dale, Campbell, Ashby-Hammond (G), Benarous, Roberts.

Referee; Mr. Ben Atkinson (London)