Freddie Sears scored twice and David McGoldrick once as Town eased their relegation concerns by beating doomed Wigan Athletic 3-0 at Portman Road. McGoldrick put the Blues in front in the 22nd minute, Sears made it 2-0 on the half hour and then sealed the three points five minutes from time.

Steven Taylor, Myles Kenlock, Toumani Diagouraga and Emyr Huws all returned to the Blues’ starting XI with the former Newcastle man lining up in a back three alongside skipper Luke Chambers and Christophe Berra with Jordan Spence and Kenlock the wing-backs. Jonas Knudsen was missing from the 18 with a shoulder injury.

Huws and Diagouraga were in midfield along with Grant Ward, Cole Skuse having been unavailable due to the concussion he suffered on Saturday. Sears started up front alongside McGoldrick with Tom Lawrence still not ready to return.

Jonathan Douglas, a surprise starter against Birmingham on Saturday, was left out of the 18, while Brett Pitman dropped to the bench.

Jonny Williams was among the subs for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury in the Blues’ 3-2 win at Wigan in December, while former Blue Alex Bruce was on the bench for the Latics.

As has so often been the case in recent months, the Blues started slowly with second-bottom Wigan having most of the ball in the early stages, however without creating a chance.

But as the game moved towards the 10-minute mark Town started make some headway. McGoldrick and Spence broke into the area on the right but the move ultimately came to nothing.

On 17, with the Blues now beginning to pass the ball around with much greater fluency, Kenlock cut in from the left and hit a right-foot shot wide.

And in the 22nd minute Town went in front via David McGoldrick’s first goal in 16 games since scoring at the DW Stadium in December.

Kenlock caught Craig Morgan in possession on the Town left and brought the ball forward into the area before cutting back to McGoldrick, who stroked his fourth goal of the campaign past Wigan keeper Matt Gilks with his left foot.

Eight minutes later it was 2-0 with the Blues again profiting from a Wigan defender being caught in possession.

This time Sears closed down Jake Buxton in the middle of the Latics half, took the ball off him and fed McGoldrick. The Irish international deftly played his strike partner in on goal and Sears beat the advancing Gilks with confidence to net his fourth goal of the season.

The game was held up soon afterwards as referee Andy Davies limped off and was replaced by fourth official Darren Deadman.

As the half moved into injury time Max Power hit Wigan’s first shot but Bartosz Bialkowski comfortably dealt with the former Tranmere man’s low effort from distance.

Moments later, Taylor was replaced by Tommy Smith, presumably having suffered a knock.

Jamie Hanson hit a powerful strike strike straight at Bialkowski from 25 yards just before the whistle as Wigan put the Blues under a brief spell of pressure.

The Blues were applauded off by their fans at the break after a stress-relieving half. While both goals owed much to atrocious Wigan defending, Kenlock, McGoldrick and Sears had made the most of the two chances with the strike pair both taking their opportunities confidently.

"While Town had been much better than on Saturday they hadn’t created many chances aside from the goals - although Sears had appeared unfortunate to be flagged offside when away on at least one occasion - while Bialkowski had had little to deal with other than the two late shots from distance.

The Latics switched David Perkins for another ex-Colchester man Alex Gilbey ahead of the second half.

On 51 Morgan headed a Hanson freekick from the left into the ground and straight at Bialkowski.

Town’s first chance since the restart came two minutes later when Kenlock brought the ball in from the left and hit a shot which Gilks palmed wide.

Two minutes later the 20-year-old was booked for pulling back Hanson after trying too much in a dangerous area on the Town right and losing the ball. Hanson’s freekick flashed across the Blues’ box but with no one getting a touch.

Town weren’t far away from going 3-0 ahead in the 57th minute when ex-Latic Huws brought the ball in from the left and hit a curling shot which looked to be arcing into the corner of the net until Gilks brilliantly got across to tip it wide.

Sears was first to the loose ball but shot over from a tight angle with both McGoldrick and Spence well placed for a cut-back.

Wigan defender Dan Burn was yellow-carded for a foul on Ward on 59, then a minute later Diagouraga joined him in the book for a foul on Power.

The Latics threw men forward as they looked for a way back into the game and right on the hour Ryan Colclough hit a snapshot on the turn but Bialkowski made a superb reaction save to tip over.

On 67 Town weren’t too far away from their third goal. Huw sent McGoldrick away down the left, the Blues’ number 10 crossed low to Sears but Gilks did well to block. The loose ball fell to Ward but his shot was also saved by Gilks. In the aftermath, as the Blues tried to win the ball back again, the former Spurs man was booked for a foul on Power.

McGoldrick shot straight at Gilks on 76 after good work from Sears and Spence on the right, then Kevin Bru replaced Huws, who again impressed in his first game since returning from a hamstring problem.

With the match moving into its final 10 minutes Power was booked for leaving Ward in a heap and from the freekick, whipped in by Ward, Smith almost made it 3-0 with a powerful header which Gilks did well to keep out to his left.

With four minutes left on the clock Bialkowski made a terrific double save, first blocking from Gilbey and then preventing sub Callum Connolly from netting the rebound from close range.

Town immediately counter-attacked with McGoldrick catching Gilbey in possession on halfway before taking the ball into the area and feeding Sears to his right. The ex-Colchester man’s first strike was blocked by Gilks but he made no mistake with his second effort to claim his fifth goal of the season.

Wigan continued to look for a goal, Bialkowski tipping a long-range Gilbey effort wide, before McGoldrick was replaced by Dominic Samuel for the final few minutes, the Blues’ first goal scorer receiving a warm ovation from the Town support.

Colclough diverted a cross wide before cheers and applause from the home fans at the final whistle at the end of a far less fractious evening at Portman Road.

The game was effectively over once the Blues had scored their two first-half goals and Wigan could do little by try to take the game to Town after the break and but for Bialkowski they might well have pulled a goal back.

However, Gilks was the busier of the two keepers and while the Latics will feel they would have scored but for Bialkowski on another night the Blues might have added to their goals before Sears netted the third.

While the Blues' first double of the season and the overall performance were positives, the game was watched by only 14,661, Town's lowest home league crowd of the century. The last lower league crowd at Portman Road was the 14,514 which watched the 0-0 draw with Tranmere Rovers on November 12th 1999.

The result sees the Blues remain 17th but with everyone below them playing on the night losing now nine points from the bottom three with a superior goal difference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham, who lost 4-2 at Derby.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Taylor (T Smith 45), Berra, Kenlock, Diagouraga, Ward, Huws (Bru 76), McGoldrick (Samuel 90), Sears. Unused: Gerken, Pitman, Williams, Moore.

Wigan: Gilks, Buxton, Perkins (Gilbey 46), Power, MacDonald (Obertan 79), Jacobs, Morgan, Warnock (c) (Connolly 75), Hanson, Colclough, Burn. Unused: Haugaard, James, Bruce, Byrne. Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire) (Darren Deadman (Cambridgeshire) 36). Att: 14,661 (Wigan: 176).

Photo: TWTD

BlueMachines added 22:24 - Apr 4 Player of the season MUST be Bart. We need to encourage him to stay and he is ours. Sorry Tom but Bart's the man for me.
11

BrettenhamBlue added 22:26 - Apr 4 Man of Match for me was Bart but either of the full backs (Spence and Kenlock) could also have got it. Surely now MIck will realise that he needs to sort out some contractual issues? Spence, Chambers and Taylor all leave shortly. Huws contract is up in the Summer.
5

planetblue_2011 added 22:27 - Apr 4 At last a proper team performance. Played well tonight scored 3 good goals, could of been more if it wasn't for Gilks making 3 or 4 great saves. Bart did well with a couple too. We can play some good football if we want to & having the right players in a formation what can work. We should be safe now, we just have to play with pride now till the end of the season. Win as many games as we can👍🏻

9

OwainG1992 added 22:27 - Apr 4 Well done lads! Good to see attacking football being played. We'll be in this division next season....who'll be in charge?
7

RoyalAscotBlue added 22:33 - Apr 4 Mick got lucky with injuries forcing his hand again, and just in the nick of time. No doubt he will claim that it was all down to his brilliance though. A big 3 points and hopefully we will now survive but he has to go at the end of the season, if not sooner.
24

Taricco_Fan added 22:33 - Apr 4 Much needed win against a very poor side. We should be safe now. Well done lads. Changes nothing for me, though. McCarthy's tenure at this club is one of negative tactics, favouritism and failing to better utilise the talent available. Evans is the epitome of the distant, faceless owner whom, as far as I can see, is content to run the club into the ground.
18

12th_Man added 22:35 - Apr 4 Better performance but it was only a poor wigan side and I don't think we are safe yet Fulham Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday left to play can't see us getting many points
6

prebsa added 22:36 - Apr 4 A good result yes. But let's remember this was a poor Wigan side who defensively tonight were terrible and gifted ha our chances. We still needed Bart to help us out at the back and he has been fantastic all session. Just shows that a positive line up can produce a positive performance with some nice football. Thought Kenlock was good tonight doing really well down the left as Spence was down the right. But if Knudsen is back that won't stop Mick brining him back in. Better tonight but it was only Wigan still been an awful season and massive changes are still needed. Mick and Evans out!

18

hogster1970 added 22:40 - Apr 4 Well shiver me timbers mm picks a posative team and we play well and win 3 nil. All the fans favorites in Inc kemlock big dave sears upfront and we played some good stuff. Yes it was only wigan but hey ho . All results go our way aswell.
8

Daleyitfc added 22:42 - Apr 4 No (ex)Skuse ; no 'Dougie' ; Sears allowed to play as a striker : 3-0 win with Sears getting 2 of them. Who'd have funk it ...
9

heathen66 added 22:42 - Apr 4 No Skuse, Douglas or Knudsen and we win 3-0 what more can I say Admittedly Wigan were poor, but so were Birmingham and we struggled big time. That said it still needed world class goalkeeping from Bialkowski Midfield looked competitive and not defensive minded, strikers looked lively and inventive and the fullbacks looked competent in both offensive and defensive departments. I have said for many a week that I believe we have some decent players in the squad, but we either do not utiilise them or do not utilise them properly. Unfortunately Mick stumbled on todays formation but will soon revert back to type with Skuse and Knudsen. 3 points, 3 goals and now almost safe

20

EssexTractor added 22:43 - Apr 4 No one who is a true fan/ supporter wants the fateful drop to Division One so three points against anyone at this time very welcome. But it was against Wigan who were woeful in first half but pulled themselves together after the break and without Bart may well have scored. Yes we scored three, what a relief, but Our goalkeeper once more our best player. Other results may have also assisted but in fairness it was not thrilling although applause to Myles Kenlock who despite one or two hiccups gave a very creditable performance, let him stay now until end of season , give him that deserved run And also to Freddie Sears, someone played out of position for too long but who never seems to show disappointment, congratulations in seeing your name twice n the scoresheet.

10

StochesStotasBlewe added 22:54 - Apr 4 A much needed victory against a piss poor Wigan, Bart made three fantastic saves at a crucial time & our strikers finally found their shooting boots. Young Kenlock should be nailed on for the left back position, but we shall see. Pleased for Freddie, he ran his socks off & playing in his natural strikers role was much more effective. Play with a more positive lineup & results like this will become a regular occurrence, unfortunately, dino Mick will revert to type at the first opportunity.

11

grumpyoldman added 22:57 - Apr 4 At last a win, will not change my opinion of MM but welcome all the same.
10

pragmatic added 22:59 - Apr 4 Mcarthy to stay mark that down you negative bores!
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Gatehouse added 23:00 - Apr 4 Much better line up more positive kenlock already proving he offers more than Knudsen,Dave in midfield not only does skues job but also manages to play forwards. Look Wigan weren't great nor were town but 3 goals 3 points is great in that squad there is a good team a less stubborn manager would have found the right combination months ago. Finally yet again if it wasn't for Bart this game could have ended so differently alas every great Bart performance means its a step nearer Evans cashing in and he'll be gone in the summer

6

Cloddyseedbed added 23:01 - Apr 4 We won 3 nil but once again Bart saved our skin! Wigan were poor but so were Birmingham on Saturday, just goes to show the fans ain't stupid MM. We know who is not good enough to be on the pitch. Maybe if the team that played tonight had played on Saturday it wouldn't have been such a dull drab affair. I'll take the 3 points but still want rid of MM and ME.
12

HALLSJ added 23:04 - Apr 4 Thank goodness see you all at Burton my local game living in Staffordshire
1

itfchorry added 23:07 - Apr 4 Pragmatic - Are you missing your Pal SWN98 ?
3

ploughman added 23:11 - Apr 4 Man of the match: Kenlock. So much better than Knudsen in every way. Let's hope for more like this but I have to say I'm pessimistic. Replace McCarthy with Steve Finch!!
2

casanovacrow added 23:13 - Apr 4 Didn't think were were much different to usual tbh, we just played against an even worse side. It's funny how we benefit when Mick's hand gets forced to drop two of his chums in Skuse and Knudsen. Reoccurring theme when we get some joy
5

Surco72 added 23:16 - Apr 4 Pragmatic ...the more you comment the more you show your lack of football knowledge probably why you think MM is doing a good job
9

bobble added 23:17 - Apr 4 great win......bart is easily player of the year
10

Gatehouse added 23:30 - Apr 4 Has Steve finch reported in yet
1

jas1972 added 00:02 - Apr 5 I enjoyed it - although I still want to know where Steve Finch really was. For me, MoM was Spence, even though Bart was his usual tremendous self. And with regards to Taylor, in the 40 minutes that he was on he gave us a defence that was calm, untroubled and confident. Priceless.
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