Exeter City fell to a fifth successive defeat in EFL Sky Bet League One after a 2-0 defeat against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium.
Joe Taylor’s early header in the fifth minute gave the Tics’ an early lead and the victory was ensured by Frazer Murray’s corner which went all the way in after 84 minutes.
The Grecians came up against former manager Gary Caldwell’s Wigan athletic side which have been rejuvenated in recent weeks, and ahead of kick-off sat just one point below Exeter City in the table.
Interim manager Matt Taylor made one change to the side that was narrowly beaten by Luton Town in midweek, as City’s No.9 Jayden Wareham returned to lead the line in place of Josh Magennis.
First half
Reece Cole got the game underway under bright sunshine in Wigan, with City looking to assert themselves early on.
However, their intention to start strongly was quickly undone in the fifth minute. Frazer Murray delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, finding Joe Taylor unmarked inside the six-yard area, and he powered a header home to give the hosts an early lead.
The Grecians struggled to find their rhythm in the opening stages, with the defence coming under immediate pressure. Matt Taylor responded with an early change in the 14th minute, introducing Josh Magennis in place of Timur Tutierov.
City created their first real opportunity a minute later. Pierce Sweeney picked out Ilmari Niskanen on the flank, who took a touch before delivering a cross into the box. Magennis rose well but could only guide his header wide of the target.
Midway through the half, Sweeney’s long throw caused problems and resulted in a corner. Cole’s delivery was dangerous and met by Niskanen, but Wigan managed to clear the threat.
City’s most promising attacks continued to come down the right-hand side, with Niskanen again troubling the defence and winning another corner on the half-hour mark. Cole’s in swinging delivery was inviting but dealt with well by the hosts. Shortly after, a cross from Brierley was flicked on by Magennis but drifted wide.
Wigan nearly doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute. Bettoni latched onto a through ball and, spotting Whitworth off his line, attempted an audacious lob that struck the crossbar, much to City’s relief.
The hosts continued to threaten as the interval approached, with Vickers driving at the City defence before cutting inside and firing narrowly wide of Whitworth’s far post.
Wigan went into the break holding a one-goal lead.
Second half
The Grecians made a change as Danny Andrew replaced Johnly Yfeko in the backline, looking to find a route back into the game.
Wigan threatened in the 54th minute when Murray seized on a loose ball at the edge of the area, shifting his feet before curling an effort towards the far corner, but it proved a comfortable save for Whitworth.
City responded well. A long throw from Sweeney caused uncertainty in the Wigan defence, with the ball almost dropping kindly for Niskanen, only for his effort to be smothered. Confidence was growing among the Grecians, and when Magennis was picked out wide, his early cross nearly found Wareham before being hacked clear.
On the hour mark, Wigan came close to doubling their advantage as Murray’s dangerous corner was met by Weir, whose header drifted just wide.
Ten minutes later, it looked certain that Wigan would add a second on the break. Taylor raced through one-on-one, but Whitworth reacted superbly, racing off his line to smother at the striker’s feet.
City then had a golden opportunity to level. Magennis showed great strength to hold the ball up inside the box before finding Higgins out wide, but his effort drifted agonisingly past Tickle’s post.
Moments later, the Grecians were relieved to see Taylor’s teasing cross evade Whitworth and crash back off the crossbar.
City continued to push for an equaliser. Higgins delivered a brilliant ball into the box, met by Magennis, but his header was heroically cleared off the line. McMillan was unable to convert the rebound, and substitute Mendes Gomes fired the loose ball wide.
Wigan eventually sealed the game in the 85th minute. Murray’s corner once again caused chaos in the City defence and, under pressure on Whitworth, the ball found its way into the net to double the visitors’ lead.
City were unable to muster a response and headed back to Devon empty-handed and looking over their shoulder in the League One table.
Up Next
The Grecians return to action at SJP this Saturday to take on Leyton Orient in a 3pm kick-off. We need your support as we look to pick up a big three points at our home. Click here for tickets.
Match Details
Wigan Athletic XI
Tickle (GK), Aimson, Kerr (C), Chapman (Carragher 87’), Weir, Vickers (Smith 46’), Moxon (Saydee 86’), Murray, Raphael, Taylor (Hungbo 82’), Bettoni (Costelloe 59’).
Subs not used
Savin (GK), McManaman.
Yellow Cards
Saydee 90+1’
Goals
Taylor 5’, Murray 85’
Exeter City XI
Whitworth (GK), Niskanen, Sweeney (c), Woodhouse, Yfeko (Andrew 46’), McMillan, Brierley (McDonald 74’), Cole (Higgins 64’), Aitchison (Mendes Gomes 73’), Tutierov (Magennis 14’), Wareham.
Subs not used
Bycroft (GK), Cox.
Yellow Cards
Yfeko 28’, McMIllan 68’, Andrew 90+1’
Attendance
TBC