Gary Caldwell's opening night Wigan Athletic verdict: 'It will only get better'

On-loan Huddersfield Town striker Joe Taylor scored the only goal at the Brick Community Stadium with 18 minutes remaining.

It took two sensational goalline clearances deep in stoppage-time from Morgan Fox and Will Aimson to ensure Latics held on for a priceless three points that takes them out of the League One relegation zone.

And after only a couple of days working with the players, Caldwell believes the sky's the limit as far as the rest of the campaign.

"That was brilliant, I thought the players were incredible," he said. "I know how difficult it is when you're not winning games, confidence can be affected.

"I thought we were a bit tentative in the first half, unsure about what we were doing, you could see that, although we were good without the ball.

"At half-time we showed them a few clips, to show clearer pictures, and the simplicity of the game that we wanted to play, and they took that on board and carried it out perfectly.

"In the second half, we played really aggressive football, we created momentum, the supporters were right behind us.

"We thoroughly deserved our victory in my opinion, and it will only get better.

"As much as we gave them some tactical information, we said this one was all about behaviours, running, competing, keeping the team more connected, so we could hunt the ball and win the ball back.

"I thought they took so much on board and carried that out, particularly in the second half, we scored a brilliant goal, and we could have had more.

"Every single player, I couldn't have asked any more of them, they gave me absolutely everything, and that's what it takes to win games of football."

A Kasey Palmer free-kick had forced a great save from Sam Tickle in a first half low on goalmouth action.

But Latics raised their game after the interval and dominated a club that was in the Premier League two seasons ago.

Morgan Fox and Taylor, twice, were denied by good saves from Luton custodian Josh Keeley.

And after David Perkins – Caldwell’s assistant – marked his own return to Wigan by getting a yellow card, Latics found the only goal deep in the final quarter.

Substitute Dara Costelloe picked the perfect moment to play in Taylor, who cleverly flicked the ball over the advancing Keeley.

That was far from the end of the drama, with Jordan Clark sending a fierce drive inches wide of Tickle’s far post, and Costelloe firing over from four yards off Joseph Hungbo’s brilliant cross.

And then, in the seventh added minute, Latics were indebted to Morgan Fox and then Will Aimson for both clearing goalbound efforts off the line to secure a priceless three points.

The win sees Latics climbed to the dizzy heights of 20th place in the table, ahead of fourth-bottom Northampton Town on goal difference, ahead of Saturday’s trip to promotion-chasing Stockport County.