Four on the bounce as Latics suffer another defeat

Report by John Patrick Heeley

Stevenage returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic, as Wanya Marcal's second-half header proved decisive in a scrappy League One encounter.

Latics began brightly and enjoyed the majority of possession during the opening period, but clear-cut chances were at a premium.

Wigan's best opening came before the break when Connor Barrett fired narrowly wide after good work from Brad Burrowes.

Stevenage also threatened, with Joe Whitworth producing an important save to deny Matt Smith on the stroke of half-time.

The deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark. Josh Magennis showed excellent strength and awareness to spin away from his marker and drive into the Wigan box before clipping a cross to the far post.

Wanya Marcal timed his run perfectly and headed back across goal, the ball finding the net via the far upright to give Stevenage the lead.

Stevenage created several opportunities to extend their advantage on the counter-attack but failed to find a second goal.

That kept Wigan in the contest, although Gary Caldwell's side struggled to seriously test goalkeeper Tommy Setford as the hosts stood firm to secure all three points.

The statistics illustrated Wigan's control of possession, enjoying 60% of the ball and winning seven corners.

However, Stevenage were the more dangerous side, registering 15 shots to Wigan's six and six efforts on target compared with the visitors' one.

The result lifted Stevenage into the top half of the League One table, while Latics rooted to the foot of the division after a sixth defeat from their opening eight league matches and four on the bounce in their current dismal run of form.

Gary Caldwell was once more left frustrated at his side's inability to turn opportunities into goals: "It was a frustrating game again. We started extremely well in how we want to control the game. We could still have been better in the final third and a bit more incisive with our play when we got in. And we had to score in that period."

He continued: "We can't hide away from the fact that we haven't won enough games. So probably same old story in terms of final third play, more incisive, more quality, more chances, we need to put that ball in the net."