HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1, WIGAN ATHLETIC 0
Manager Shaun Maloney was left frustrated as Wigan Athletic’s push for a play-off spot in Sky Bet League One was dented following their loss at form-side Huddersfield Town.
A goal from Ollie Turton early in the second half inflicted a first defeat on Latics for five league and cup games.
It was a disappointing night for mid-table Latics who offered little attacking threat in a lukewarm game in which there was little to separate the two teams as Huddersfield extended their unbeaten run to eight league matches and made it seven straight home victories in all competitions.
Maloney said: “It was frustrating and I am gutted not to take anything from the game as we did a lot of things right, but didn’t have enough in the final third.
“We lacked quality and confidence in the final third but, if you do not have that, you do not deserve anything.
“I wanted more aggression in the final third and am really disappointed but we lacked belief to hurt them.”
There were only three flashes of brilliance in the disappointing opening period which did little to provide cheer on a chilly night in West Yorkshire.
Two of them went the way of Latics as Jonny Smith and Thelo Aasgaard both had clear-cut chances.
Smith danced his way in from the right before seeing his shot palmed out by keeper Jacob Chapman with the loose ball falling to Meleace Asamoah who blazed over from six yards, a glaring miss.
Then on the stroke of half time, Aasgaard’s excellent shot on the turn from the edge of the box forced a full-length diving save from Chapman.
Town’s only serious chance was a free kick from Ben Wiles who bent his excellent dead ball was bent around the defensive wall only to clip the outside of the upright.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 53rd minute as Turton picked a great moment to score his first goal of the season.
The assist was provided by David Kasumu with a dangerous run and cut back for Turton to find the net with a fine finish at the near post.
Town had one decent chance to double their advantage late on when Wiles’ drive forced a good save from keeper Ben Tickle.