'Bonkers' game of two halves, admits Wigan Athletic chief

Latics were good value on the whole to record their second victory in a week, to move off the foot of the League One table.

Goals from Tom James, Dan Gardner and Will Keane (penalty) had them three goals to the good by the 32-minute mark.

However, two goals in the space of five minutes just after the hour mark, from Joe Pritchard and Michael Nottingham, gave the in-form visitors a lifeline.

Ollie Crankshaw looked to have secured the spoils seven minutes from time with a deflected effort to make it 4-2.

But there was still time for Cameron Burgess to rifle home after a goalmouth scramble to ensure a tense finale.

"To have seven goals, it's just a shame there were no fans inside the stadium to see it," acknowledged acting manager Richardson.

"But we're thankful to come out on the right side and we'll enjoy the three points.

"Again, it's the players who take all the credit, for all the endeavour and the hard work they've shown again.

"They've shown it in training all week, and to then show it in the game, against the most in-form side in the league, is wonderful to see."

Richardson has been one of the few figures of continuity at a club that's endured a car-crash six-month period that's seen them lose their second-tier status and most of their senior figures.

But the way he is guiding the club's talented youngsters - along with Academy chief Gregor Rioch - is giving huge cause for optimism moving forward.

"I've said a few times, it's my job here to educate this young group, and give them that platform to express themselves," recognised Richardson.

"Some of them are taking that really well, and we've picked up two fantastic results now in the space of a week,

"At the same time we're not hiding from the fact there's a lot of work still to do, and a lot of points to be played for, to get us where we want to be,

"We'll just try and keep our feet on the ground as best we can.

"But we're a very young group, we've just had back-to-back wins, so you can imagine what the feeling in the dressing room is like.

"They've gone through so much this season, and it's important they enjoy moments like this as much as possible."

He also admitted the last third of the game had aged him - after Latics almost contrived to grasp defeat from the clutches of victory.

"I told the lads I wanted them to be fearless, but I think they took me a bit too literally today, with the goals we conceded," he added.

"It was really a game of two halves - absolutely bonkers really.

"In the first half, most of the things we hit went in, and it was all looking really great.

"But they were always going to come out in that second half and show us what a good side they are.

"Both teams should possibly have had a penalty in that second half, but we'll move on."

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