Wigan Athletic boss reacts to Hull City defeat

Latics looked on course to continue their impressive start after Will Keane's 14th-minute opener, after a sublime cross from Thelo Aasgaard.

But City equalised within seven minutes through Dimitrios Pelkas, who headed past Ben Amos from close range.

And after Keane had been denied by a fine save by Nathan Baxter moments after the restart, City took all three points when Oscar Estupinan headed home ex-Latics man Callum Elder's corner at the three-quarter mark.

"It's always hard after games because there's so many emotions running around," acknowledged Richardson.

"Being honest, I thought a draw would probably have been a fair result...we started both halves very well as the away team.

"Obviously it's not the result we wanted, but as a club and as a team, on the journey we're on, from administration to the Championship…

"The first question I always ask myself is whether my group have been honest enough, had the application and the impetus to try to be competitive around these fantastic grounds and football clubs?

"And I thought we were tonight, even though the result didn't go our way.”

Richardson felt the brilliant save from Baxter to deny Keane at the start of the second half was the turning point.

"We started really well, we controlled the ball, we controlled the big moments, we had the big chance with Will Keane, we had a few corners, and then we're disappointed with conceding their goal," added the Latics boss.

"We were a bit lop-sided out of possession from the first goal, which is disappointing, because it's so unlike us.

"And conceding the second goal from the set-piece is so unlike us.

"But again I thought we responded well, we finished well, they started to play the result, which is understandable.

"We're under no illusions, we win together, as we did at the weekend, and we'll lose together, as we did tonight.

"The important thing is we'll learn from it, which we absolutely will do so."

Looking to extend the best away record in the Championship, Latics once again got off to a perfect start.

After going ahead inside 12 minutes at Rotherham on Saturday, this time it took 14 minutes for the opening goal to arrive.

And once again it was Keane who found the net with a clinical finish following a perfect right-wing cross delivery from Aasgaard.

Unlike at Rotherham, however, Latics couldn't hold on to their lead, with Hull restoring parity inside seven minutes.

A deep cross to the far post saw Pelkas head past Amos, who couldn't react fast enough to keep it out.

Amos did much better to keep out a header from Alfie Jones, as Hull ended the half on the front foot.

Latics engineered a big chance to regain the lead shortly after the restart, only for Baxter to deny Keane a second with a fine save.

But Hull again managed to gain the upper hand and took the lead on 65 minutes, when Elder's corner led to Estupinan heading home from eight yards.

And despite introducing Tendayi Darikwa, Graeme Shinnie, Charlie Wyke and Ashley Fletcher for the last few minutes, Latics were unable to force a late leveller.