Wigan returned home for a crucial night game under the lights, aiming to claim three precious points against a Reading side that is managed by ex-Latics boss Leam Richardson. Leam helped the Club survive relegation to League Two in administration before leading Latics to the League One title in the following 2021/22 campaign.                                             

Richardson has had a strong start following his arrival at Reading, inspiring the Royals to several eye-catching victories, with the help of his fellow ex-Latics colleagues Rob Kelly, James Beattie, Ryan Nyambe and Will Keane.                                                                                          

Barrow and Whelan made five changes to the side that faced Peterborough including the welcome return of captain Jason Kerr, who made his first appearance in blue and white since the 1-0 victory over Burton Albion at the start of December. Jensen Weir returned the starting XI for Owen Moxon, while Fraser Murray, Harrison Bettoni, and Christian Saydee replaced Joe Hungbo, Raphael Borges Rodrigues and Joe Taylor. 

Wigan started brightly and moved the ball well and it was Bettoni who was involved in the thick of it. After wriggling free inside the area, the youngster rifled a fierce shot into the back of the net from a tight angle, only to see the linesman's flag up for offside before then latching onto a clever Matt Smith pass moments later and firing narrowly wide.              

Reading gradually played their way back into the game as the match fell into a bit of a lull, with the best chance falling the way of Jack Marriott, who ran free behind the home side's backline but was quickly closed down by Sam Tickle to block the effort on the byline.          

As the half-time whistle approached, Latics were made to defend for their lives when a host of shots came in from Haydon Roberts and Marriott, with Will Aimson there to throw himself in front of the ball and make a vital block. There was time for one last chance for Latics to head in at the break ahead. As a corner came in from the right and was cleared by the Reading defence, Callum Wright was waiting on the edge of the area to pounce and hit a half volley just over the bar.                                                                                                             

Half-Time; Wigan Athletic 0-0 Reading.

Reading started the better of the two sides following the break and grabbed the game's opener. After working the ball out wide through Lewis Wing, Doyle had the chance to swing a cross towards DORSETT at the back post, who was free to head into the back of the net.  Doyle then looked to turn from provider to scorer as he was allowed to take a free run at the Latics defence and unleash a shot towards goal from the edge of the area, which Tickle watched sail over his bar before Wing then copied his teammate after capitalising on an error in the Wigan defence.                                                                                                         

Latics continued to battle hard and they got their reward. After working the ball forward and out to Murray, he checked inside and floated a cross into the danger zone and TAYLOR, who worked his way in front of Pereira, cleverly flicked the ball home.

Once one goal was on the board, Latics were sniffing out more opportunities. After a quick free-kick set Raphael free, the Australian burst down the left, weaving in and out, and eventually struck a low effort at goal, which Pereira managed to tip around the post.

With the clock running down and against the run of play, the visitors went in front once again. A free kick from the right was swung into the area by the Royals captain Wing, where O'CONNOR was waiting to rise and head into the far corner of the net.