Standard has now been set, insists Wigan Athletic hotshot

Latics may have come up short by the odd goal in three, to remain second-bottom of the division, but the performance was arguably their best in months.

And Lang - whose magnificent goal put Latics in front just after the half-hour mark - says that is now the benchmark for the remaining 17 games that will decide their fate.

“We were happy with the performance, and to a man we're all fighting," said the 22-year-old.

"They’re a side that are top of the table, so we know in this league we can match any side - and we need to start coming out with results.

"If we’re patient and keep working then results will come.

“The first thing we expect is the performance now, and that the standards can’t drop."

It was the perfect response - if not result - to the horror show that saw Latics crash 5-0 at home to Hull three days earlier.

“We had a chat after the Hull game and we know we need to be doing more," revealed Lang.

"First half we took the game to Lincoln, and showed we’re all fighting and we’re all on the same page.

"Yes it’s a disappointing result, but we have to take the positives and move onto the next one.

"We haven’t got time to dwell on it really, we’ll come back fighting, and hopefully we can pick up the results."

Lang was Wigan's stand-out player against the Imps, with a fine display illuminated by a world-class goal which saw him drive through the visiting defence before rifling into the top corner.

“In my professional career, it's up there with the best," he assessed.

“It’s a nice feeling and I’ll gain confidence from that which I can take into the next game.

"I want to keep on scoring as many as I can for this club, because that can help keep us up."

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