‘OH, HOW WE NEEDED THAT…’

Wigan Athletic picked up a huge three points under the lights at the Brick Community Stadium, thanks to Joe Taylor's clever finish in Gary Caldwell's first game back in the Wigan Athletic dugout.  

Caldwell's men had to wait until the 72nd minute for the opener when Fraser Murray put his head where it hurts to nod into the path of Dara Costelloe, who got hold of the ball and drove forward before feeding Taylor, who ran into the area and chipped into the back of the net. 

The evening marked the start of a new era at the Brick Community Stadium, almost a decade after departing, Gary Caldwell returned to the Brick Community Stadium on Monday after working wonders with Latics' Third Tier counterparts Exeter City. The 43-year-old has enjoyed success in WN5 as both a player and a manager, captaining the side before leading the Club, in his first managerial role, to the 2015/16 Sky Bet League One title in a season full of unforgettable moments.                                                                                                           

Caldwell came into this one, hoping to mark his first game back in charge with a huge three points, and he made one change from Sunday's Emirates FA Cup defeat at Arsenal. Having been withdrawn after 30 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, Jack Hunt was not involved and was replaced by Christian Saydee.

Latics began brightly but Luton also looked sharp in possession as they tried to launch an assault on the play-off places. From a Latics corner, the ball found its way out to Callum Wright on the edge of the area, he pumped the ball back into the danger zone and towards Morgan Fox for a header back across goal, but Luton cleared their lines. 

Luton then fashioned their own clear-cut chance when Kasey Palmer stepped up to a free-kick after Isaiah Jones was brought down just outside the 18-yard box. The effort was on target and looked goal bound, but Sam Tickle sprang across his line and produce a brilliant one-handed diving stop.                                                                                                             

Christian Saydee was causing problems for the Hatters' backline and following good work he turned in his own half and found Wright bursting forward in support. Wright eventually cut the ball back to for Jensen Weir, who dropped a shoulder and unleashed an effort at goal, but it was straight at the keeper who held the shot well.                                                          

Owen Moxon was allowed time and space to curl a cross towards the back post but just as Saydee lined up a header the Luton defence managed to intervene and clear with a vital touch.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Luton Town.

It took ten minutes for Caldwell's men to register their first shot on target in the second half when Weir was brought down 30 yards from goal, and Morgan Fox stepped up to force Keeley into a sprawling save that was reminiscent of Tickle's in the first half. 

The manager went to his bench and introduced Matt Smith and Dara Costelloe and this had an immediate effect as Latics were brighter, sharper, and faster about everything they were doing.  Costelloe and Taylor linked up nicely before the latter fired towards Keeley's near post forcing a sharp stop. 

All Wigan’s hard work eventually paid off, and Latics had the opener. Murray blocked an attempted clearance with his head and Costelloe was allowed to turn and drive at the Luton defence before feeding Taylor on the overlap. Taylor took a touch and with the angle tightening he produced a lovely, clipped finish over the on-rushing Keeley. 

The goal was well deserved as Wigan had dominated play since the break, but nerves quickly started to play a part as Luton came in search of an equaliser.  Jordan Clark twisted and turned on the edge of the area before striking towards the top right corner of Tickle's goal, but the shot flew over the bar.                                                                                               

As the fourth official held up the board with an additional seven minutes of time, Caldwell's men rolled their sleeves up and dug, and it started with Joe Hungbo doing well to get down the line and zip a teasing ball across the face of goal for the sliding Costelloe, but he couldn't quite direct it into the back of the net. The fight continued deep into stoppage time when Luton kept knocking and knocking, but Latics refused to be beaten, with Jason Kerr and Will Aimson, just to name two, throwing their bodies on the line to protect a huge three points and lift Latics out of the relegation zone.