U23 Report | Latics collect a fourth consecutive victory in the PDL.
Olly Crankshaw netted a second half winner against Sheffield United.
Owen Evans and Luke Robinson provided goal-saving moments in Latics' 1-0 victory.

Wigan Athletic 1

Crankshaw 53

Sheffield United 0

Latics leapfrogged visitors Sheffield United to jump up to fourth place in the U23 Professional Development League, after Olly Crankshaw's goal early in the second half provided Frankie Bunn's side with their fourth consecutive victory.

A defiant Latics side showed grit and determination to hold onto their slender advantage, having shown enough quality to edge themselves in front, with goalkeeper Owen Evans and full back Luke Robinson providing goal-saving moments to keep their side ahead late on in the second half.

Five members of the starting XI all featured in the first team squad the evening before against Bristol Rovers, with match-winner goal scorer and league debutant Harry McHugh both getting minutes in the 0-0 draw at the DW Stadium.

U18 full back Kieran Lloyd continued his progress at right back, as did combatant midfielder Baba Adeeko. U23 captain Scott Smith made his return from a shoulder injury suffered against Nottingham Forest in September, taking a place on the bench.

After an early sighter from the Blades' Zac Brunt, Evans had little to do between the sticks in the first half, but the important early save was a strong one, after the visiting number 11 struck his effort with power.

The game struggled to settle in periods, but it was Latics showing the initiative, with Crankshaw close to heading his side in front from a Charlie Jolley cross inside the opening 10 minutes.

Three minutes later Divin Baningime went close with a first time shot inside the area, almost capping off a neat move between himself, MacKenzie O'Neill and Jolley on the edge of the box.

O'Neill came close to prodding home a Crankshaw cross and Jolley forced an excellent save from Blades' goalkeeper Jordan Amissah, but Latics couldn't find a route into the lead in the first half.

Crankshaw was quick to put Latics in front in the second half, but it came seconds after the visitors should have done so themselves, with Evans forced into two excellent saves at close range, before Robinson headed Iliman Noiaye's follow-up effort off the line.

And so, Latics raced up the other end through Baningime, who found Crankshaw to his right for a confident and composed finish across Amissah and into the left corner.

With a goal in the bag and something to hang onto, you'd have forgiven Latics for wanting to sure things up, but the next 20 minutes was the complete opposite, with Crankshaw coming close to his second when he struck the post from a Robinson corner, before the winger whipped a free kick towards the top left corner, only for Amissah to make a superb diving save.

In between Crankshaw's two chances, Latics introduced Wales youth international Smith for his return from injury, a welcome sight for the young midfielder and his team mates.

Sheffield United came close to equalising a number of times in the remaining 15 minutes, but only one of those opportunities was clear cut, with Jean Belehouan forcing Evans into an instinctive save at close quarters.

Latics could have doubled their lead in the final five minutes, but Amissah was once again in top form, tipping Crankshaw's right footed curler out of the top corner, following excellent build-up play between the forward and Adeeko.

The victory was Latics' fifth in the league this season, giving Bunn's youngsters fourth spot in the Professional Development League North, seven points behind leaders Nottingham Forest, but with two games in hand.

Latics: O.Evans; Lloyd, Obi, Webber, Robinson; McHugh (McGee 86), Adeeko; Crankshaw, O'Neill (Smith 64), Baningime; Jolley

Subs: B.Jones, Carragher, Costello

U23 Report | Wigan Athletic 1 Sheffield United 0