Ryan Shotton’s 12th minute goal is the difference between the teams at half-time, however, the Blues have had enough chances to at least be on terms with Luke Chambers hitting the woodwork and Wigan keeper Scott Carson thwarting Daryl Murphy.
Boss Mick McCarthy has made the one expected change with Paul Anderson coming in at right midfield for skipper Carlos Edwards, who dropped to the bench with Luke Chambers wearing the armband.
Town were close to going in front in the second minute. Anderson sent in a corner from the left and Chambers’s downward header came back off the underside of the bar and the ball was scrambled away.
There was a further scare for the home side within a minute when a miscommunication between keeper Scott Carson and left-back James Perch almost gifted Cole Skuse the ball inside the area, however, former England goalkeeper Carson blocked at the midfielder’s feet and the ball ricocheted out for a goalkick.
Blues defender Christophe Berra appeared to be caught by Jean Beausejour’s flailing elbow midway inside the Town half in the ninth minute. Referee James Adcock stopped play, but only due to the head injury, and spoke to both players without issuing a card.
The Blues had had the better of the early stages but on 12 the home side went in front. Nick Powell sent in a deep corner from the left and on-loan Stoke defender Ryan Shotton — making his league debut for the Latics — arrived at the far post to head down and into the roof of Dean Gerken’s net.
Thomas Rogne’s toe just prevented Daryl Murphy’s through ball from reaching David McGoldrick in the 15th minute, then, following a long spell of Town possession inside the Latics’ half, Luke Hyam scraped a shot wide from 20 yards.
On 21 Berra headed an Anderson corner from the left wide off a defender, then from the subsequent flagkick McGoldrick failed to test Carson with an overhead kick. Wigan broke quickly but Callum McManaman was thwarted by the sheer number of Town defenders who had got back inside the area.
McGoldrick seized on Perch and James McArthur’s error on 25 but the midfielder got back to put the ball out for a corner. The Blues striker won the ball in the air from the flagkick but couldn’t direct his header goalwards when he probably ought to have done better.
Town went close again a minute later when Skuse found Ryan Tunnicliffe breaking into the area on the left. The on-loan Manchester United man was forced into an area from where he couldn’t shoot but managed to square to McGoldrick. The ball was half-cleared to Murphy just inside the area but his strike was blocked.
The Blues were continuing to have most of the chances but the Latics looked dangerous whenever they were in or around the area. On 28 James McClean’s freekick deflected wide off the wall.
Town went close again in the 33rd minute when Chambers sent in a long throw from the right, Murphy flicked it on and Anderson headed over when he will feel he should have hit the target.
A minute later, Anderson crossed right-footed from the left and McGoldrick flicked a header across the face of goal but wide.
Town should have been on terms in the 36th minute when Aaron Cresswell’s mis-hit strike deflected to Murphy about 10 yards out but Carson reacted quickly to close him down and block. It was a great save, however, the Irishman will feel he should have scored.
Skuse’s deflected 40th minute strike forced Carson to save well down to his right with the Blues still on top and pushing for the equaliser.
Two minutes later, Berra was booked for a foul on Nick Powell 25 yards out. The set piece was eventually played to the on-loan Manchester United man who took a couple of touches before hitting a shot not far wide of Gerken’s right post.
Moments before the break, McClean hit a shot on the turn over after a well-worked from the right but a second goal would have hugely flattered the home side.
The Latics could count themselves fortunate to be ahead at all as the sides made their way down the tunnel.
Town had been on top for the most part, having come close early on when Chambers hit the bar and on a number of occasions later on in the half when Murphy in particular will feel he should have got his side back on terms.
Mick McCarthy is unlikely to be pleased that his side conceded an early goal from an opposition corner for the second time in three games.
Wigan: Carson, Shotton, Perch, Rogne, Barnett, Watson (c), McArthur, McClean, Beausejour, Powell, McManaman. Subs: Nicholls, Crainey, McCann, Gomez, Boyce, Espinoza, Dicko.
Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson, Hyam, Skuse, Tunnicliffe, Murphy, McGoldrick. Subs: Loach, Hewitt, Tabb, Wordsworth, Edwards, Taylor, Nouble. Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire). Att: