Defending cost us dear, admits Wigan Athletic boss

Despite hitting the front midway through the first half through Joe Garner, Latics were left reeling by a Jordan Graham brace and a third from Trae Coyle.

Kal Naismith pulled one back with 25 minutes to go, but Latics were unable to muster an equaliser - and prevent a third loss out of three matches in all competitions.

"It's tough to take that result," acknowledged Sheridan. "In my first home game I'd have loved to have got off with a positive result.

"I have seen good signs again, I thought we actually played all right in the game.

"But the bad signs are the manner of the goals we've conceded - very, very, very poor.

"After taking the lead with a very well-worked goal, great stuff from Vivvy (Solomon-Otabor) and Garns, you can't concede like we did.

"We knew exactly what they are all about, they play forward, with long throws, put you under pressure, get big players into the box.

"And to concede the first goal so soon after taking the lead is poor.

"If we'd kept the lead for even five or 10 minutes, it's a different outcome of the game for me.

"Then they get the second, and we're disappointed to go in at half-time behind.

"I was quite pleased with the way we played in the second half, we were positive and brave without really having a cutting edge about us.

"I thought we were moving the ball around with very little danger at our end.

"But again out of the blue, against the run of play, we concede a third goal and it's even harder.

"I don't like picking players out but I think the players will know who could have done better in that situation.

"It was just very, very avoidable, and it gives you a mountain to climb.

"It's tough for the players and it's tough for me, because I want to come in here and hit the ground running by winning games.

"All I can do is be as positive as I can, I can't be too down with them, I can't let my feelings out too much, because they're very vulnerable with what's going on.

"And I don't want to keep bringing up what's going on around us, because I don't want us taking it out there with us onto the pitch.

"Overall there were some good performances, but we need to do better with the goal situation at the other end."

Sheridan was also adamant Latics should have been awarded a penalty right at the death, when substitute Olly Crankshaw's cross appeared to strike the arm of a Gills defender.

"It was a stonewall penalty, I've seen it and it was absolute stonewall," he added.

"Coming so late, it obviously would have given us a chance of a draw in the game.

"But it wasn't to be, and we just have to move on as quickly as we can."