Oh What a win for Maloney

HEAD START:

JACK WHATMOUGH’S third-time-lucky headed goal broke the deadlock in this six-pointer basement battle to give Wigan’s fight against the drop a boost.

But if it was relief for the Latics’ fans, it was agony for crisis club Huddersfield, who sacked manager Mark Fotheringham earlier in the week.

Now, the club – which is in the middle of a stalled takeover and has no overflowing cash reserves – is hunting a new boss.

Whatmough had two efforts on goal before his late strike. He used all of his six feet in height to meet a

James McClean corner that went over all the defenders.

The ex-Portsmouth centreback powered the ball past substitute keeper Nick Bilokapic to send the 10,000 Wigan fans into a frenzy.

Latics boss Shaun Maloney, whose two games in charge have brought four points, said: “The result was all important. The momentum changed for us in the second half, and I’m pleased for my players.

“I’m pleased for Jack too. He told us it was his biggest game in his time here.

“He certainly made his presence felt.”

Huddersfield’s caretaker boss Narcis Pelach added: “It was not what we wanted. It was a disaster at the end of the game, and that is not acceptable. We have to clear our minds quickly.”

Town shaded the first half, with on-loan winger Joseph Hungbo the danger man.

But in the end, they were undone by Whatmough.

WIGAN: Amos 7; Darikwa 6 (Pearce (59)

5), Hughes, 6, Whatmough 8, Nyambe 6; Sinani 5 (Fletcher (59) 6), Power 6; Tiehi 6, McClean 7; Keane 6 (Naylor (86) 6), Lang 6 (Aasgaard (77) 5)

HUDDERSFIELD: Vaclik 6 (Bilokapic (61)

6); Turton 5 (Boyle (13) 6), Lees, Pearson, Ruffels; Camara 6 (Headley (86) 5), Hogg 6, Rudoni; Hungbo 8, Waghorn 7 (Rhodes (61) 6), Knockeart 6 (Mahoney (61) 6)

STAR MAN: Jack Whatmough – Scored Wigan’s invaluable late winner with a fine header.

REF: Gavin Ward 7