We should have put Wigan Athletic to bed - Plymouth boss

The Pilgrims totally dominated the first half, and led at the break through Ryan Hardie's 34th-minute chip after a mix-up in the Latics defence.

But the visitors could and should have been out of sight, with a number of good chances being squandered.

And Plymouth's profligacy came back to haunt them in the second half, when a much-improved Wigan display led to Will Keane heading home on 69 minutes.

"I think we should certainly have been out of sight in the first half," acknowledged Lowe.

"We created some great chances and we played some great football.

"We always knew it would be tough coming to Wigan, given their circumstances and what they're going through.

"We had to be professional and do our job - and I thought we did that.

"The only thing missing in that first half was another couple of goals.

"We weren't ruthless enough, and we've been punished.

"One day we're going to give a team a good pumping - I don't know who that will be.

"But it's another point on the road. I'd like it to have been three, but it's a point."

Lowe, the former Bury and Shrewsbury striker, was delighted to see Hardie get off the mark for the season in his ninth appearance.

"I'm always pleased when my strikers score, and that's why I want more from them," he added.

"We work with them on a daily basis and, being a former striker myself, I want them to go and get 10-15-20 goals.

"Ryan scored a great goal and maybe could even have had another couple."