Latics travelled to Edgeley Park full of confidence to take on Stockport County in Sky Bet League One action following a big three points in midweek, but they were denied back-to-back victories by the home side as they claimed a 4-2 victory at Edgeley Park, despite a first-half brace from Joe Taylor.                                Caldwell made three changes from the midweek victory over Luton Town, with Owen Moxon, who is ineligible to feature against his parent club, Will Aimson (injury) & Raphael Borges Rodrigues (injury) dropping out for Steven Sessegnon, Matt Smith and Joe Hungbo.    

The game got off to a fast-paced opening and an early error by Stockport allowed TAYLOR, who was sharp throughout, to race through on goal and calmly sidestep the last defender before slotting home past a wrong-footed keeper.                                                               

The lead didn't last long as the hosts won themselves a free kick in a dangerous area. Ollie Norwood whipped a curling ball into the penalty area, where Brad HILL, who looked suspiciously offside, made first contact and headed past Sam Tickle from close range.          

Wigan quickly recovered from this early blow and proceeded to play some nice football as a slick passing style was employed rather than the ultra-direct approach that had earmarked the more recent performances.                                                                                     

Jenson Weir played a cross-field ball in behind the Stockport defence to find Murray who produced a delightful cross to the near post were TAYLOR ghosted in ahead of his marker to flash a header inside the post from close-range.                                                                   

Wigan were the dominant force in the game and could easily have added to their tally as Stockport, who had come into the game as clear favourites, struggled to cope with the away team’s movement in the final third. First, Christian Saydee picked up a loose ball and rifled towards goal, forcing Hinchcliff to make a sharp save, before Taylor almost had a hat-trick when his strike partner set him in on goal, but as he looked to finish Hinchcliffe raced out quickly to deny him.                                                                                                           

Stockport did threaten at times, and it was Tickle who was called into action with around ten minutes left in the half when a smart corner routine found Ethan Pye for a first-time strike at goal, with Latics' number one standing strong to keep the home side out. Then with five minutes left until the break, Stockport brought the game level. Diamond's whipped cross from the right evaded everyone but Adama SIDIBEH managed to direct the ball goalwards off his thigh for an equaliser that rather flattered the hosts.

Half Time; Stockport County 2-2 Wigan Athletic.

The start to the second half was a lot more controlled than the first with both sides playing-controlled football but the key turning point arrived around the hour mark when an incredibly harsh second yellow card for Steven Sessegnon (his first one was also rather dubious), saw Latics go down to ten men, which allowed Stockport to apply pressure. Both yellow cards were awarded for slight pulls on the home players shirt, and whilst Sessegnon might justifiably claim to having also been pulled back it was clearly unwise to risk the ire of the referee.                                                                                                                          

County, with the extra man now pushed hard for a winning goal but Latics defended well and bravely withstood the onslaught. Fox produced a brave block to deny Sidibeh from close-range. As the clock ticked down, Latics continued to battle and show character in their defensive work. Diamond managed to work some space and float a ball towards Tanto Olaofe, who could only direct his header over the bar.                                                 

The ninety minutes were up, and the game went into injury time. There were audible gasps and groans when an additional nine minutes was announced (Where did that come from). Almost inevitably the pressure from Stockport finally saw them grab a late winner. Diamond was allowed to get down to the by-line and stand a cross to the back post, where WOOTTON was waiting to nod home.                                                                                           

Latics threw everything forward as they tried to reply and their desperate attempts saw Asamoah red carded for a badly timed lunge as he tried to recover the ball. The decision again seemed unduly harsh as a yellow would have seemed more appropriate but the referee, urged on by the Stockport players, fans and management decided that the full sanction was required.                                                                                                                               

In the final minute with Wigan woefully short handed at the back Tickle produced a diving save to deny Mothersille but the ball rebounded onto the fortunate WOOTTON and found its way into the Wigan goal to secure the result for the Hatters.