Report by SJG

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs MANSFIELD TOWN

 11^th April 2026

STAGS PAY PENALTY AS LATICS PULL CLEAR OF RELEGATION.

Wigan have gone all season without being awarded a penalty, one of only two sides in the whole of the football league not to have been so blessed, (despite plenty of decent claims). However, in the 71^st minute the officials decided that this time the shouts were valid and Wigan were awarded the decisive spot kick, just about twelve months since their previous award when a man called Taylor (Dale) converted successfully.

With back-to-back fixtures at home Wigan were looking to make the most of familiar surroundings and grab the victories that will pull them clear of the drop zone. Mansfield Town, managed by Nigel Clough, came into this one in excellent form and were unbeaten in their last eight league matches, with their last defeat against table topping Lincoln City.                                          

Gary Caldwell named an unchanged side for the third consecutive game, and the team had a boost with Ryan Trevitt returning to the matchday squad for the first time since September.                                                          

The first chance of the game fell the way of Wigans number eight when Wright picked up possession in the final third and set his sights on goal before unleashing a low right-footed effort at goal that flew wide of the post. Wright eventually got his reward when he grabbed the opener. After gaining possession deep in his own half Raphael Borges Rodrigues raced forward and then checked inside before spraying a brilliant through ball into path of WRIGHT. The midfielder then chopped back inside to fool the defender before firing a low shot that rippled the back of the net. Mansfield came back strongly and quickly found themselves back on level terms when Russell's hopeful ball back into the area fell kindly to the feet of AKINS, who leant back and slotted into the bottom corner.                                                                                                               

Other than the goals, it was a quiet first half with little by way of goalmouth action. The Stags were relying mainly on their more physical approach while Wigan were looking to cash in on the pace of Taylor, Costelloe, Murray and Raphael.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 1-1 Mansfield Town.                                                                            

Wigan started the second period on the front foot as they probed to try and find that special moment that may gain them the win.                                                                                     

An unexpected candidate leading that charge was Easter Monday's goalscorer Will Aimson, who barged his way forward from his own half, looking for the top corner as a last-ditch challenge came in, with the ball sailing just over the bar.                                                  

Latics were dominating the ball and almost retook the lead when Joe Taylor was fed in behind the Mansfield defence, he won the race and thundered a shot at Anthony Nunez, who parried into Christian Saydee's path for a prod at goal that struck the post and bounced clear.                                                                                                                                       

However, persistence pays off, and it did just that for Wigan. Christian Saydee, still smarting from his missed chance, won the ball back and played in Taylor who raced into the 18-yard box and as he ventured in, Frazer Blake-Tracy made a clumsy challenge to send him tumbling and for once, the officials decided that the key decision should go the way of the Latics.  Up stepped the Joe TAYLOR, who calmly found the bottom corner.                            

Mansfield again came back strongly, and Kyle Knoyle rifled a right-footed effort goalwards, forcing Sam Tickle into a strong stop down low before Will Evans followed in on the rebound and struck wide.                                                                                                                     

Six added minutes saw Wigan digging deep and the crowd sang as they urged them over the finishing line to grab a very welcome three points and climb to 15^th place in the League One table.                                                                                                                                                

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 2-1 Mansfield Town.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Attendance; 10,196

Scorers; Wright (25), Taylor (72, pen); Akins (28).

Wigan Athletic (3-4-1-2) --- Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Carragher; Murray, M. Smith, Weir, Raphael; Wright; Costelloe, Taylor; Subs--- McManaman, Bettoni, Hungbo, Fox (for Raphael), Moxon (for Smith), Saydee (for Costelloe), Trevitt (for Taylor).

Mansfield Town (3-1-4-2) ---- Nunez; Knoyle, Oshilaja, Sweeney; Reed; Akins, Moriah-Welsh, Russell, Blake-Tracy; Oates, Evans; Subs--- Adeboyejo, Hewitt, McLaughlin (for Sweeney), Roberts (for Moriah-Welsh), Hendry (for Russell), Irow (for Reed), Gardner (for Oates).

Referee; Mr. Ollie Yates (Staffordshire)