Report | Latics 0 Charlton Athletic 1
Latics left frustrated by narrow defeat to the Addicks.
Chuks Aneke's first half goal was enough for the visitors to take all three points.

Wigan Athletic 0

Charlton Athletic 1

Aneke 19

It was ultimately a frustrating evening at the DW Stadium for Latics, with just a solitary goal the difference against Charlton Athletic, as Chuks Aneke's 19th minute goal proved vital in the Addicks' 1-0 victory.

Latics controlled large spells, created numerous chances and remained calm in the face of the visitors' game management, but a mix up between Tendayi Darikwa and Curtis Tilt allowed the Charlton forward to score the game's winning goal.

Latics made two changes from Saturday's narrow defeat to league leaders Peterborough United, with Thelo Aasgaard and Will Keane named in the starting XI, with Dan Gardner on the bench and Callum Lang out with a tight calf, only for Keane to be replaced during the warm up, with Alex Perry drafted in to play in midfield alongside Funso Ojo.

It was a steady start from Leam Richardson and Gregor Rioch's side, who worked the ball into hopeful wide positions, with Viv Solomon-Otabor showing his strengths early on.

Latics actually threw the first punch of the game inside four minutes when one of Solomon-Otabor's crosses found the head of Joe Dodoo, only for the striker to nod narrowly wide of the left post.

As much as the opening moments gave Latics something to build on, the work was undone in the 19th minute when a mix up between Tendayi Darikwa and Curtis Tilt allowed Aneke to run through the middle and latch onto Ben Watson's high, hooked ball forward, before smashing his finish past Jamie Jones.

Latics improved towards half time, and in truth, were always looking comfortable in the contest, save for a moment of confusion and the mistake leading to the Charlton goal.

That mistake was almost cancelled out before the break, when Aasgaard's corner hit Jake Forster-Caskey at the near post and almost rebounded back into his own net.

The positive work continued into the second half, with Luke Robinson proving a consistent threat high on the left side.

Robinson carved out an excellent attacking move 10 minutes after the restart, with a driving run allowing him to pop the ball inside for Solomon-Otabor who in turn found Perry on the edge of the box, but his deflected effort was easily held by Ben Amos.

The attacks continued on the left and it was Robinson and Solomon-Otabor who linked up again just a minute later, but after a show of strength and skill in the box, the latter's shot was deflected wide.

A rare Charlton attack tested Latics' level of alertness after long spells of possession, with Liam Millar's driving run and shot from the right side forcing Scott Wootton into a goal line clearance.

The visitors continued to slow the game down and Latics continued to try and build pressure, but even with the height of Tilt upfront for the five minutes of added time, the hosts couldn't balance out the result.

Latics: Jones (Capt); Darikwa, Wootton, Tilt, Robinson, Ojo, Perry (Gardner 66), Aasgaard, Solomon-Otabor, Dodoo, Massey (Clough 66)
Subs: Evans, Whelan, Johnston, Smith

Charlton Athletic: Amos, Pearce (Capt), Aneke (Gunter 81), Watson, Washington (Schwartz 90), Matthews, Forster-Caskey, Maatsen, Famewo, Smith (Shinnie 81), Millar (Jaiyesimi 75)
Subs: Harness, Oshilaja, Stockley

Report | Wigan Athletic 0 Charlton Athletic 1