REPORT: Swindon Town 1 Wigan Athletic 0

The home side - managed by ex-Latics boss John Sheridan - were able to climb three places to sixth-bottom with the victory, despite being reduced to 10 men for the last quarter.

However, Latics never looked remotely capable of making their extra man count, and didn't force home goalkeeper Mark Travers into a single save worthy of the name.

The winning goal came early on, with Brett Pitman able to force the ball home from close range.

But the visitors will reflect on three separate areas during the build up that could have seen the goal prevented.

Latics had made four changes from the side that was hammered by Blackpool seven days ago, with debuts for Scott Wootton and Funso Ojo, a second 'bow' for Curtis Tilt, and a welcome return for Dan Gardiner.

But on a difficult surface, in driving rain, it was the home side that settled by far the quicker.

Latics had a hairy moment at the back when goalkeeper Jamie Jones couldn't get a proper punch to the ball through a crowd of bodies, and he was indebted to Tendayi Darikwa for clearing the danger.

However, the visitors didn't heed the warning, and Swindon nosed in front with only 16 minutes gone.

Again, Latics only had themselves to blame as no-one closed down Matty Palmer - who spent the first half of the campaign on loan at the DW - and his cross found an unmarked Tyler Smith.

Jones could only claw the header into the path of Pitman, who scrambled the ball home from close range.

Replays showed the Swindon man was arguably in an offside position when Smith headed for goal, but the officials were happy enough to let it stand.

Latics then had to withstand some real pressure as Swindon - with their tails up - went for the jugular.

Hallam Hope tried his luck from long-range, which needed a good save Jones, who was grateful to Tom Pearce moments later for a goalline clearance which denied Jordan Lyden.

Latics had half a chance when Pearce's cross found Callum Lang at the far post, but his header was helped behind for a corner.

Leam Richardson made his first change on 58 minutes, with Thelo Aasgaard taking over from Zach Clough, who was doing a lot of head shaking as he sat down - hopefully more out of frustration than because of an injury worry.

And the visitors were given a lifeline just before the midway point in the second half when, after good chasing by Aasgaard, Will Keane got his toe to the ball on the edge of the Swindon box.

As he shaped to shoot for goal, Keane was tripped by Swindon skipper Dion Conroy, who was then shown a straight red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity.

Pearce was unable to take immediate advantage as he sent the resulting free behind for a corner, via a deflection off the wall.

And the lively Aasgaard, then saw a shot well blocked, with Pearce blazing the rebound high and wide.

Latics made a second substitution with two minutes to go, George Johnston for Chris Merrie, which allowed Tilt to be thrown up front alongside Lang.

But the home side were able to negotiate the five added minutes with surprising comfort as Latics struggled to land a glove on them.

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