Wigan Athletic boss makes brutally honest assessment of Wycombe Wanderers setback

Latics paid the penalty for a woeful showing in the first period at Adams Park, with a rousing effort after the break not enough to restore parity.

The only goal summed up the night, with Sam Tickle - Latics' stand-out player throughout the whole campaign - allowing a Josh Scowen strike to slip through his hands and in at the near post.

Credit the visitors, they gave it everything after the break, but Maloney's men couldn't find a way past home goalkeeper Franco Ravizzoli, who denied Thelo Aasgaard, Charlie Hughes, Martial Godo and Jordan Jones late on.

"The second half was everything we want...and a complete opposite of the first half," acknowledged the Latics boss.

"We have to respect the opponent but, in terms of looking at ourselves...yeah, the first half was very poor.

"I didn't like what I saw in any aspect of that first half, and then it was the complete opposite in that second half.

"We did everything but score in that second half, I couldn't fault the players, and I told them that at the end.

"I'm just sorry for the fans, that we couldn't give them something to go home with.

"But I think they could see the way the team performed, and the players performed, in that second half.

"It was the first half that cost us. Everything was slow, everything was comfortable.

"Out of possession we were just about okay, but we switched off so many times from throw-ins, which infuriates you as a manager.

"Even the build-up play wasn't amazing, and the pitch was in a great condition to play good football, and I thought we were very rushed in the way we attacked.

"The second half was excellent...that's the way you play, that's the way I want my Wigan Athletic team to play.

"Look, it's a big mistake from our goalkeeper, but Sam's been brilliant this season, he's saved us numerous times.

"That's just something that can happen in the game, but it was the performance in general that cost us more...and that's what hurts.

"If we play like we did in the second half, we'll win more games. If we play like we did in the first half, we'll keep winning one and losing one."

Wycombe’s goal was just about the only thing of note in the first half, and the introduction of Matt Smith, Jones and Godo at the break underlined the need for vast improvement.

And after Beryly Lubala sent a free header wide from six yards shortly after the restart, Latics pretty much set up camp in the Wycombe half.

Godo steered the ball just wide via a deflection, while a good cross from Scott Smith was headed wide by Aasgaard, and an even better delivery from Jones saw another substitute, Charlie Kelman, miss the target from eight yards.

Fifth sub Chris Sze rolled a shot just wide of the post, before Aasgaard saw one header deflected wide and another tipped round the post by Ravizzoli.

The home goalkeeper made an even better save when Hughes met the resulting corner on the volley, with Jones seeing one final shot well saved in stoppage-time.