Report by SJG

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

MANSFIELD TOWN vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 25^th October 2025

BIG DECISIONS FAVOUR THE HOSTS, BUT BATTLING LATICS CLAIM A POINT.

Wigan Athletic followed up their victory against Port Vale with a hard-fought point at Mansfield Town in this lunch-time showdown. 

Latics arrived at the One Call Stadium to face a Mansfield Town side who were unbeaten in their last three games. Ryan Lowe made just the one change to the starting XI with Jensen Weir coming in for the suspended Dara Costelloe as the team reverting to playing with just the one out-and-out striker.

Unsurprisingly, Stags boss Nigel Clough named the same starting XI that won away at Luton Town last time out. 

As expected, it was a real battle from minute one at the One-Call Stadium. Matt Smith had an early attempt from the edge of the area trickle wide, while Rhys Oates saw two efforts foiled following a Will Evans left-sided cross. 

Latics grew into the encounter as the first half progressed, and a Fraser Murray free-kick from the left flew across a congested penalty area and almost found its way into the far corner with Will Aimson inches away from applying a final touch.

Wigan were having slightly the better of the exchanges, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock two minutes after the half-hour mark when a fast, well-constructed counter-attack saw the Stags make space down their right wing and when Tyler Roberts picked out EVANS he produced a fine first touch before curling his shot into the far corner.

Latics looked to respond when Christian Saydee, who produced another muscular all-action display, linked up with Murray down the right-hand side, but after checking back inside the area, the Club's top scorer saw his strike blocked. 

Latics were perhaps unlucky to be behind at the break as neither side had created much by way of clear-cut chances and it was just the one clinical move that was the difference between the sides.

Half Time; Mansfield Town 1-0 Wigan Athletic.

Latics came out with renewed vigour at the start of the second half. A whipped cross from Murray just evaded the onrushing Saydee and from the resulting corner Aimson found space in the box to volley home what should have been his first ever goal for the club, only to see the goal disallowed for an alleged foul in the lead-up. In truth, even the most biased Stags fan would have to concede that the decision was incorrect.

Latics refused to let the disappointment affect their play and following further pressure a slide rule pass from the impressive Morgan Fox, in the 58^th minute, picked out the on-rushing COOPER who emphatically fired Wigan level.

Latics continued to press but gradually the home side rediscovered some of their composure on the ball. Ryan Lowe looked to keep the intensity high with the introduction of fresh legs as Mullin and the hero of the Port Vale game Maleace Asamoah entered the fray but the game became scrappy with injuries and stoppages upsetting the passing rhythm of the Wigan team.

With time running out it was Mansfield who nearly grabbed what would have been a very fortuitous winner when substitute Regan Hendry tried his luck from distance and a looping deflection saw the shot fly over the stranded Tickle before bouncing clear off the outside of the post.

While the momentum was firmly with Latics, the home side almost regained the lead through a stroke of luck. Substitute Regan Hendry's strike from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection, looped over Sam Tickle, and struck the outside of the post. 

Mansfield pushed for a late winner and Latics brought on James Carragher for a welcome return after his latest injury to reinforce the back line. Latics remained resolute and earned a valuable point away from home.

Full Time; Mansfield Town 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

Scorers; Cooper (58); Evans (32).

Attendance; 7,598

Wigan Athletic (3-5-1-1) --- Tickle; Fox, Aimson, Kerr; Cooper, M. Smith, Weir, Murray, Hungbo; Wright, Saydee; Subs--- Savin (G), Mullin (for Saydee), Carragher (for Wright), Robinson, McManaman, Asamoah (for Cooper), Raphael.

Mansfield Town (4-2-3-1) ---- L. Roberts; McLoughlin, Knoyle, Oshilaja, Blake-Tracy; Lewis, McDonnell; Moriah-Welsh, T. Roberts, Evans; Oates; Subs--- Dickov (for T. Roberts), Bowery (for Knoyle), Hendry (for Moriah-Welsh), Gardner (for Oates), Sweeney, Dwyer, Mason (G).

Referee; Mr. Sebastian Stockbridge (Sunderland)