Blackpool suffered a 3-2 defeat away to Wigan Athletic in the EFL Trophy.

Blackpool were defeated 3-2 by Wigan Athletic in their opening EFL Trophy group game.

Connor Barrett broke the deadlock in the opening exchanges, before Scott Hogan doubled the advantage on the opposite side of the break.

Goals from Tom Bloxham and Jerry Yates came either side of one for Fraser Murray, leaving them as nothing more than consolations.

This sees a tough spell continue for Ian Evatt’s side, and leaves the Seasiders winless in their last five outings in all competitions.

Wigan took the lead after just three minutes. Barrett was given time and space to open up some room for himself on the edge of the box, before slipping a shot past the unmoved Luke Southwood.

Brad Burrowes came close to doubling Latics’ lead just after the 20-minute mark, with a shot from the edge of the box taking a small touch onto the post.

Hogan wasn’t far off either, seeing his attempt saved by Southwood after taking the ball past Josh Earl with ease.

Blackpool’s chances proved limited in the first half. The closest Ian Evatt’s side came was a shot from Leighton Clarkson, which went straight into the hands of Joe Walsh, while Bloxham had an effort blocked from close-range.

This prompted a triple change at the break, with Olly Casey, Albie Morgan and Josh Bowler all being introduced.

It was still Wigan who had the first clear chance after the restart. An attempt from Archie Harris called Southwood into action, with the summer signing getting down low to stop the shot.

Gary Caldwell’s side did double their lead on their next attack, with Hogan heading home a Barrett cross.

Bowler came close to pulling one back for the Seasiders, smashing the crossbar after cutting in from the right.

Moments later, Blackpool were back in the game, with Bloxham converting the penalty he won after being brought down by Finley Burns in the box.

This didn’t deter Wigan - who made it 3-1 through Murray, after the midfielder found himself unmarked at the back post to head home from close-range.

Heading into stoppage time, Yates closed the gap again with an instinctive finish in the box, but Evatt’s side couldn’t find another to level the scores and salvage something.

Blackpool FC: Luke Southwood, Andy Lyons, Josh Earl, Zac Ashworth (45’), Ilmari Niskanen (57’), Jordan Brown, Theo Upton (45’), Leighton Clarkson, Finley Munroe (45’), Tom Bloxham, Jerry Yates.

Substitutes: Charlie Brier, Olly Casey (45’), Albie Morgan (45’), Josh Bowler (45’), Jordan Williams (57’), Shay Mannix, Oli Hunter.