Wigan Athletic 0 Fleetwood 0: Frustrating stalemate for Town

The point ended a run of three defeats in eight days but it was another frustrating afternoon for interim boss Simon Wiles, whose side have won only one of their last 10 League One games.

The Cod Army gave a debut to Friday loan signing Janoi Donacien at right-back and enjoyed a lively start, with captain Paddy Madden dragging a low effort wide from 25 yards.

Madden was seeing a lot of the ball and had another effort from long-range blocked before Wigan got going.

Most of the Latics’ attacking threat was coming through left-back Tom Pearce.

Twice Callum Connolly reacted sharply to clear danger caused by fierce Pearce crosses before the former Leeds man came close to giving his side the lead.

Good work by new signing Zach Clough sent Pearce scampering free but he dragged his low effort wide of goal and Fleetwood survived.

Fleetwood's on-loan striker Kyle Vassell then escaped a booking for a hefty challenge on Chris Merrie as both sides got to grips with a heavy pitch.

Madden was looking the most likely to find the breakthrough. The skipper headed over from a Shayden Morris cross from the right before having an even better chance on the half-hour.

Again the ball reached Madden at the back post and this time he had the space to chest down and blast a powerful half-volley straight at Wigan goalkeeper Jamie Jones.

The home side weathered the mini Fleetwood storm and had two great chances to take the lead before half-time.

Dan Gardner drove into the box down the right before flashing his effort wide. And then Clough wasted the best chance of the lot on 44 minutes.

Fleetwood were caught cold by another driving run from Gardner. Clough met his cross unmarked on the penalty spot but somehow dragged his half-volley wide with the goal gaping.

Wiles’ men were relieved to get to the break unscathed.

Madden was winning everything in the air and had the first chances of the second half, heading weakly at the keeper on 52 minutes and putting another header off-target moments later.

Wiles made a double change on 65 minutes, with Glenn Whelan and Josh Morris replacing Jordan Rossiter and Shayden Morris as Fleetwood sought to find the goal their second-half ascendency deserved.

Instead Wigan almost found the breakthrough as Callum Lang ghosted in at the back post but w

as denied by the returning keeper Alex Cairns.

That sparked life into the hosts who had another great chance a minute later, Cairns saving well from Kyle Joseph.

The Cod Army suffered a setback when substitute Whelan himself hobbled off, lasting just six minutes before making way for Mark Duffy.

With the game stretched, Fleetwood brought on Harvey Saunders for Vassell on 82 minutes and he almost found a winner within seconds, running in behind the Wigan defence but flashing his pull-back across goal.

The stalemate means Fleetwood have scored just six goals in 10 League games ahead of Tuesday’s visit of struggling Northampton Town.

Wigan: Jones, Darikwa, Whelan Johnston, Pearce, Lang (Crankshaw 88), Perry, Merrie, Gardner, Clough (Aasgaard 77), Joseph; Subs not used: Obi, Evans, Robinson.

Fleetwood: Cairns, Donacien, Connolly, Mulgrew, Andrew, Finley, Rossiter (Whelan 65, Duffy 72), S Morris (J Morris 66), Camps, Madden, Vassell (Saunders 83); Subs not used: Coleman, Holgate, Rydel.

Referee: Declan Bourne

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