REPORT: Wigan Athletic 0 Portsmouth 1

Again, Leam Richardson s men arguably had the better of a tight encounter, with huge ramifications at both ends of the table.

But they were once more unable to translate their possession and territorial advantage into much in the way of creativity in the final third.

And substitute Andy Cannon grabbed the only goal for Pompey just 36 seconds after coming on to the field at half-time.

To rub salt into Wigan wounds, Callum Lang had to be helped from the field in the closing stages after being clattered on the near side.

And with Latics' top scorer looking decidedly groggy, Leam Richardson will be hoping he isn't going to lose his star man for the next two matches because of concussion protocol.

Latics made a solid enough start, but were almost undone by Pompey's first venture forward.

Ex-Wigan man Michael Jacobs released Ryan Williams down the left, and Ronan Curtis was totally unmarked in the centre.

Unfortunately for the visitors, the final pass was way too hard and rolled yards in front of Curtis - and the danger had passed.

Latics thought they were in when Jamie Proctor wrestled the ball off the Pompey last man, before being penalised for a foul - which was generous to say the least.

Pompey had another escape moments later, when Curtis Tilt came within inches of opening the scoring.

Lee Evans sent the free-kick in, which was fortunately deflected to Tilt, 10 yards from goal.

The centre-back who stabbed the ball towards goal, only for Jack Whatmough - almost on the goalline - to stick out a leg and divert it behind for a corner.

Evans fired over as Latics continued to hunt the breakthrough, before Pompey saved their best moment for the dying seconds of the first half.

Marcus Harness played the ball in to Williams, whose low effort was brilliantly saved by Jones.

Pompey made a change at the break, with Cannon taking over from Jacobs.

And the new man took exactly 36 seconds to make his mark, driving through the midfield before rifling home from 25 yards, with Jones helpless.

Lang was again looking the likeliest hope of a response for Latics, the young frontman seeing a low shot deflected wide of the far post.

But the home side were indebted to goalkeeper Jones for keeping them in the game when Williams found himself unmarked at the far post.

The shot was low and true, but Jones somehow flung himself across goal to claw the ball to safety, from right on the line.

Will Keane and Dan Gardner took over from Aasgaard and Solomon-Otabor, before dangerman Lang was poleaxed on the near side by Pompey defender Sean Raggett.

Both players appeared to be groggy and were immediately replaced, which didn't please Lang, who desperately wanted to stay on, only for the medics to rule otherwise.

Latics had half a shout at the end for a penalty, for a slight nudge on Proctor, but the please feel on deaf ears - and Latics now have only seven matches to save themselves.

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