Wigan drop back to bottom after another bad day in the office

Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Wycombe Wanderers at The Brick Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Dan Casey's second-half header proving decisive in a tightly contested game.

Before kick-off, supporters and players joined to pay tribute to Latics goalkeeping coach Kevin Miller, who passed away earlier in the week. Wycombe striker Jayden Wareham also laid a wreath behind one of the goals in a touching gesture of respect for his former Exeter City colleague.

The opening 45 minutes offered little in the way of clear-cut opportunities. Wigan enjoyed more possession and territorial advantage, but Wycombe remained organised and difficult to break down. The hosts' best moment before the interval came when Fraser Murray tested goalkeeper Craig Hazard, while Max Power, Jon Mellish and James Carragher all entered the referee's notebook during a scrappy first half.

Wigan started the second half with greater urgency and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Murray went down inside the area, only for the referee to wave play on. 

Latics continued to push forward, introducing attacking substitutions in search of a breakthrough.

However, it was Wycombe who struck the crucial blow in the 68th minute. Substitute Cauley Woodrow created space on the right and delivered a dangerous ball into the box, where defender Dan Casey rose highest to head home from close range, giving Joe Whitworth no chance.

Trailing 1-0, Wigan responded with further attacking changes and committed more players forward.

Despite enjoying 56 per cent possession and creating several chances late in the game, Wigan struggled to seriously test Wycombe's defence. Their closest effort came when substitute Connor Barrett, on for Charlie Gray, fired over the crossbar in the closing stages.

Wycombe defended resolutely through the final minutes to secure all three points, while Wigan were left frustrated after another afternoon in which they failed to turn possession into goals.

The result left the Latics rooted at the foot of the table, while Wycombe moved further clear of the drop zone.

After the game Gary Caldwell was once again left ruing missed chances in front of goal adding: "We controlled large parts of the game and had enough possession to create more chances than we did. The difference was that Wycombe took their opportunity and we didn't take ours. The players showed commitment and character, particularly in the second half, but we need to be more clinical in both boxes. It's a disappointing result, but we have to learn from it quickly and respond in the next match."

His counterpart, interim manger Tom Hounsell, was obviously pleased with the afternoon's outcome: "I thought the players showed tremendous discipline and organisation. We knew Wigan would have spells of possession, but we stuck to the game plan and defended our box very well. Dan Casey took his goal excellently and the whole team worked incredibly hard to protect the lead. It's a valuable three points away from home."