'Livid' Wigan Athletic chief takes 'full responsibility' for Halloween shocker against Charlton

The Latics boss made three changes to a side that had won three matches in the space of a week, and watched in horror as the visitors raced into a 3-0 interval lead.

A triple change at the interval helped to redress the balance, with Martial Godo coming on and laying on two goals for Thelo Aasgaard and fellow substitute Stephen Humphrys.

But Wigan ran out of time in their quest for a dramatic leveller, leaving Maloney to muse what might have been.

"I'm just so angry about that first half, I'm still livid," he said.

"There's a few things, but the biggest thing I'd say was the mentality.

"I spoke a few weeks ago in terms of us having a really great start to the season, and I spoke about complacency setting in.

"And possibly I think that happened again.

"But I have to take full responsibility for that, I didn't get the team right.

"You could see the way we played in the second half was very different.

"But I wouldn't go blaming individuals, on nights like this, I have to take the blame for that first half.

"I didn't get the team right, the changes I made - that I hoped would have a positive impact - didn't contribute to a good performance by the team.

"Charlton were very good, they deserved their 3-0 lead, at a minimum.

"But the second half was the complete opposite, and I'll have to focus a lot on that heading into the weekend.

"As a club, from top to bottom, we have to understand that at no point can we take our foot off the gas, any of us...and that starts with me."

Charlton started brightly with Alfie May firing just wide with his left foot, and Corey Blackett-Taylor forcing a brilliant save from Sam Tickle.

Latics came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Callum Lang - restored to the starting XI - sent a free-kick from 25 yards against the stanchion of the goal.

And Charlton took full advantage with three quickfire goals before half-time.

May converted at the second attempt after Tickle had kept out his initial header on 21 minutes.

The in-form forward then scored his and Charlton's second goal 10 minutes later from 20 yards with a shot that crept into the corner of the net.

Scott Smith, Humphrys and Godo appeared for the second period, tracking over from Lang, Charlie Wyke and Liam Shaw.

But Charlton continued to dominate with substitute Tyreece Campbell firing against the outside of the post, before being denied by a fine save by Tickle.

Wigan hit the woodwork for a second time when Aasgaard flicked Callum McManaman's cross on to the bar.

Aasgaard then saw a far-post header tipped round the post by Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

Wigan pulled one back with six minutes to go with Aasgaard rifling home with his left foot from 15 yards.

And a grandstand finish was ensured when Humphrys blasted home into the top corner with a minute left.

There was almost a Hollywood ending, too, when a stoppage-time corner was played in, only for Tickle's volley to flash wide.