REPORT: Wigan Athletic 2 Crewe 0

Leam Richardson's men flew out of the blocks and were in front inside 15 minutes - in utterly freakish fashion.

Joe Dodoo looked as though he'd lost his opportunity when he got crowded out in the Crewe box.

But the big man stuck out a foot to try to charge down a Tom Lowery clearance, and then watched as the ball looped over the head of Crewe goalie Will Jaaskelainen before dipping under the crossbar.

Buoyed by their good fortune, Latics pushed for a second, with Funso Ojo ignoring Callum Lang before seeing a shot from the edge of the area blocked.

Lee Evans warmed the hands of Jaaskelainen before Latics came agonisingly close to doubling their advantage.

A Curtis Tilt Tilt header off an Evans corner was brilliantly saved by Jaaskelainen, and the ball so very nearly fell into the path of Will Keane, who'd have had a tap-in.

Latics picked up where they'd left off after the break, with Ojo seeing a goalbound effort deflected wide for a corner.

And after controlling the game without looking on the verge of adding more goals, the home side did kill off the game with 20 minutes remaining.

Again it was dangerman Lang who created the danger, driving through the heart of the Crewe defence before being taken out by Omar Beckles just inside the box.

And after the Crewe man was red-carded for his trouble, Evans stepped up to convert the spot kick and tie up the points.

It's the first time Latics have won three league games in a row all season, and puts them within touching distance of safety ahead of Tuesday's trip to Shrewsbury.

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