Goals from Luke Hyam and Conor Sammon saw the Blues to a 2-1 victory over Wigan Athletic, their first ever win at the DW Stadium. Hyam turned home the opener on 20 and Sammon netted against his old club in the 63rd minute, before Martyn Waghorn set up a nervy finish for Blues supporters when he pulled one back with eight minutes remaining.

On-loan striker Sammon was handed his second Town start with Hyam also returning to the side having missed the last two games.

Jay Tabb was missing through illness and Paul Anderson dropped to the bench, while recent re-signing Darren Ambrose was on the bench for the first time since signing a short-term deal. Town lined-up 4-3-3 with David McGoldrick behind Sammon and Daryl Murphy.

The Latics dominated the early stages and went close in the third minute when Andy Delort headed into the ground and over from Shaun Maloney’s cross following a freekick, Murphy having tripped Callum McManaman on the right.

Town gradually began to get a foothold in the game and on 14 McGoldrick found Mings on the left with a looping ball, the full-back bringing the ball all the way across the area to the right wing without being able to find a gap for a shot.

Murphy struck the Blues’ first effort on goal in the 18th minute, Latics keeper Scott Carson getting down to his right to push away the Irishman’s 25-yard effort. A minute later, Mings crossed from the left and Sammon stooped to nod wide at the far post.

Town were starting to get on top and in the 20th minute they went in front. Murphy used his strength on the right to hold off a defender before playing a ball in to Hyam on the edge of the area.

The midfielder moved it on to McGoldrick, who fed Mings on the left, who in turn crossed low into the box back to Hyam, who turned the ball home for his - and the Town midfield’s - first goal of the season, only the third of his senior career and the Blues’ first at the DW Stadium in their fourth game at Wigan’s current home.

Town went close to adding a second within a minute when McGoldrick got into a good position on the right inside the area and cut the ball across towards Sammon, but hit the ex-Latic on the backside and the danger was cleared.

Christophe Berra picked up the game’s first yellow card in the 22nd minute for a late challenge on McManaman as he broke on the right. From Adam Forshaw’s freekick, Emmerson Boyce headed well over.

The Blues, who were by now well on top, went close again three minutes later when Cole Skuse threaded a ball through to Murphy just to the right, midway inside the Wigan half. The Blues’ number nine cut a low ball towards McGoldrick with the advancing Carson looking beaten, but Ivan Ramis got in ahead of him to slide the ball behind.

Wigan started to come back into it again and on 32 Boyce saw a shot from inside the area deflect wide off Berra. Four minutes later, the Latics were forced into a substitution, the injured McManaman making way for James McClean.

Mings had his name added to referee Andy Woolmer’s book in the 39th minute for a trip as Maloney broke through the centre midway inside the Town half. Skipper Luke Chambers was had got back as cover and the yellow card was the right decision.

The freekick deflected wide off the wall and from the resultant corner on the right Delort headed well beyond the far post.

Neither side threatened again before the referee brought the half to a close with the Blues deserving their lead.

After the home side had dominated the first 10 minutes, the Blues got on top and created two very decent chances in addition to Hyam’s well-worked goal.

The Latics came more into the game again towards the break but without creating a significant chance, while Town continued to look a threat.

There was a scare for Wigan five minutes after the break when keeper Carson was forced to rush off his line to clear James Perch’s backpass as McGoldrick chased it down. Moments later at the other end, Forshaw saw a strike deflect over.

Skuse made way for Kevin Bru on the hour mark, the Mauritius international hitting an early effort over the bar after Bishop had nodded a Mings cross back into the area following a corner.

And on 63 the Blues increased their lead with former Latic Sammon netting his first goal since his loan move from Derby.

McGoldrick picked up a loose ball midway inside the Wigan half and brought it forward before playing it into the path of Sammon. The Dubliner took it in on goal and got the luck of the bounce as he took it past - or rather through - Carson before tapping home from a couple of feet and celebrating in front of the small band of Town supporters behind the goal.

It might have been 3-0 on 66 when Murphy was found in space on the left but the striker’s touch let him down and the ball bounced to Carson. Two minutes later, McGoldrick found himself space on the right of the area but shot wide.

Ambrose came on for his third debut for the Blues in the 71st minute with Bishop, who had been suffering with cramp, making way.

Wigan began to put the Blues under a bit of pressure, winning a number of corners as the game moved into its final 15 minutes. Following one flagkick on the right, McClean returned to the far post and Gerken did well to block from Ramis.

McGoldrick forced Carson to save down to his right with a 25-yard strike, then with eight minutes to go the home side pulled a goal back.

McClean, who scored twice against the Blues at Portman Road last season, was found in space by a deep corner from the right and the Irishman smashed a shot which Waghorn diverted into the net from close range.

Forshaw nodded into Gerken’s arms as the home side went looking for an equaliser with the Blues defending increasingly desperately.

On 88 Wigan came within a whisker of getting back on terms when sub Oriol Riera hit the post after latching on to a half-cleared cross from the right. Soon after, Tommy Smith replaced McGoldrick as the Blues looked to shore things up at the back.

As the match moved into four minutes of additional time Town were still very much under the cosh, Boyce volleying wide from one of several corners.

But they held on to claim a deserved first win at the DW Stadium to make it nine points out of nine in the last 10 days.

There were some nervy moments in the closing stages with Town sitting very deep, but they had been worth their two-goal lead and might have been even further ahead had they taken their other first-half opportunities.

The win takes the Blues up to seventh in the table with Rotherham visiting Portman Road on Saturday.

Wigan: Carson, Ramis, Maloney (Riera 64), McManaman (McClean 36), Boyce (c), Cowie, Perch, Forshaw, Kiernan, Kvist, Delort (Waghorn 72). Unused: Al Habsi, Barnett, Taylor, Tavernier.

Town: Gerken, Parr, Chambers (c), Berra, Mings, Skuse (Bru 60), Hyam, Bishop (Ambrose 71), McGoldrick (Smith 90), Sammon, Murphy. Unused: Bialkowski, Henshall, Anderson, Bajner. Referee: Andy Woolmer (Northamptonshire).

Photo: Action Images

blueboy1981 added 23:01 - Sep 22 JWM ......... my problem with you is you can't / don't read correctly - I suggest you read again, and you'll be proved wrong if you can / do. What I don't do is 'get carried away' with a win - like some of you feel compelled to do - for whatever reason. Isn't it the objective to WIN anyway? - and what the game is all about ? I see it as it really is, and comment accordingly. Unlike some !!!!!!!.

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warktheline added 23:03 - Sep 22 Timmy, you and many others had your day, a few weeks back.......the boots on the other foot now. That's football.....funny old game, isn't it! COYB.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 23:04 - Sep 22 To be fair blueboy we are currently carried away with 3 wins on the trott.
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JWM added 23:04 - Sep 22 Make that 3 wins in a row Blueboy!
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DazBent added 23:06 - Sep 22 9 points In 3 (including a tough away trip), couldn't ask for more, onwards and up
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thebeat added 23:06 - Sep 22 Say it quietly but i think the tides turning as far as Mick being a bit more positive with his tactics is concerned. He got it spot on tonight and all the boys put in a shift. We controlled the game for 75 minutes and could have been out of sight long before they got one back. That is the kind of away performance we need to put in more often. We can have no complaints tonight, well deserved and hard earnt 3 points, every time we attacked we looked dangerous and up until their goal we defended like tigers. We now have to follow that up with a win on Saturday to show we arent complacent.

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ITFCRealist added 23:10 - Sep 22 Blueboy, right as usual. We got lucky. Wigans 20 shots vs our 12. Sammon did nothing apart from the goal, and that was a fluke. We are still a poor side, but a lucky one. Just like you, I dream of what this side could do with a good manager. All the Mick fanclub will be have their field day against those of us who know better. But, a wins a win. Just a pity it means Dinosaur Mick still in charge.

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TractorBeezer added 23:10 - Sep 22 I was fortunate to watch while visiting Vancouver at the London Pub. What a treat...4 large HD screens with sound turned up high. In my opinion we fully deserved the win keeping Wigan at bay mainly through controlling much of the open play and closing down effectively until the last few minutes. One lesson to be learnt however was Wigans first goal where we had about 8 men defending in our box and yet McLeaan was left alone with all kinds of room. I was impressed by Hyam, Mings, Berra, Gerken and Murphy in particular. Its fun to be a Tractor Boy once again! Well done MM, TC and the lads!

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blueboy1981 added 23:11 - Sep 22 ....... savour the moment children - the season is long - win, lose or draw !!!!
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algarvefan added 23:14 - Sep 22 I thought the game changed when Skuse went off for us, although Wigan were better in the second period anyway. Ok we had to 'man the pumps' for the last 15 minutes but the tactics were spot on up till that point, all in all I thought that was an excellent win and I just wish everyone on here could just be pleased for once.......some of you argue like old washerwomen!!!!!

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TimmyH added 23:25 - Sep 22 hahaha! - I do believe JWM was not happy with the owner and Mr McCarthy only a few weeks or so back as well and I do remember the term 'Dinosaur' being made, yeah funny old game! Problem is with a few on here they'll down mark you as your being too critical towards Mick/the club/owner etc. although we all want what's best for the club to succeed but when the team then performs your criticized for having those views and hence positive posts ignored. It's not a game I just post what I see and feel and tonight was positive and the past 3 games have been positive but we've been here before only to slip into inconsistency so let's not get carried away.

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TractorBoy85 added 23:37 - Sep 22 Why are there arguments on this site? It's a shame when you see town fans arguing with fellow town fans whether it's a loss, draw or a win. I try to be as positive as possible but of course there are times which I will become frustrated during the season. I'm not getting carried away from this win obviously, but people need to understand that when you win, especially against teams of wigans calibre, there are going to be people which will be overly positive about these sort of results which I do like because it shows people are enjoying they're time being a town supporter and are just excited about how the team is playing. The voting system is there for people to decide whether they agree or disagree on a post, if people are not going to give respectful replies to posts then don't, dislike the post and move on, because all it does is start arguments which many people including me just don't want to see. I know it's of subject to the result tonight which I apologise for, but it happens so often and it's just frustrating to see.

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StowTractorBoy added 23:42 - Sep 22 Whichever way you want to look at it this was a tremendous win at a place where we have never won and never scored a goal. It is true that the stats tell us that Wigan had more shots on goal but how many were on target - answer not many and it is credit to our defence for limiting the shots on target. It is not all about possession and shots on target it is about goals and in this respect alone we deserved the win. At times we made Wigan look very poor and not many teams do that. Yes the last 10 minutes saw all hands on desk but the previous 80 minutes did not warrant Wigan getting anything from this match. Well done Luke Hyam for your professionalism and a man of the match performance after being left out. Skuse was a massive miss when he went off and showed his value to the team tonight. Agree with others McGoldrick looked jaded tonight but still looked dangerous. Berra a colossus but now on 4 cautions and Mings superb again tonight. Well dones all round really and hope we can keep the ball rolling against Rotherham but we must not under estimate them.

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ArnieM added 23:49 - Sep 22 Oh look Town win at a canter against a recent PL outfit, using youngsters all over the park. Note the pic of Bishop, Hyam & Mings all hugging each other after a classy 6 pass sequence to stroking it in the net. Attacking wing backs. Attacking, chasing, closing down midfielders. Not a single hoof ball from Town to be seen. Phase II of the MM /TC master plan well underway. Yet STILL there are some on here who appear incapable of recognising this fact. Town are on the UP!

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JWM added 23:52 - Sep 22 Stow I always find myself agreeing with your every post each week! A well balanced view as usual.
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Palestine added 00:14 - Sep 23 Having watched the game tonight am eligible to share my reflections. As most posters have already said, Hyam was excellent, great performance, some good passes, and a well-taken goal. V encouraging. Pleasing to see him come good and develop the attacking / quality part of his game. Mings, love him. This guy is massive and his potential is almost limitless. He offers a lot going forward, his cross for the goal was amazing. His legs are so long that even when it looks like he has lost it he somehow still gets there first. (see next post re MIngs). Berra. Great performance and the tackle he made 1st half was immense. He had to make it, the lad was too quick, and he completely took him out. Loved it. Liked Parr, he seemed neat, solid and sensible. Liked Bishop, good energy, very promising. Gerken made a very good save. Punched one at the end I thought he might have caught, but pretty good. Up top Murphy was solid, and unlike many others on here i thought McGoldrick, whilst not at his best/fittest, still showed a lot of quality, looked dangerous working the ball into dangerous goal-scoring positions and set up the 2nd goal beautifully. Sammon, however....I watched him closely and was baffled as he looks like a bit of a donkey to me. Almost none of his touches / passes came off, didn't even think he was that strong in the air, and he couldn't change direction. Yes he bundled in his goal, but overall I think he is nowhere near as good as Murphy, but in same mould, so adds very little to Town. Final observation, there is disagreement above as to whether we 'deserved to win' or were 'lucky to hang on'. For me it was a very good performance but in last part of first half, and last 15 of match for me ITFC under MM's biggest deficiency was again evident: The complete inability to hang on to the ball, make - or even look to make - passes, retain possession. It is all desperate clearances never aimed at one of our own players and inevitably straight back to them, meaning we are under constant. Yes we got away with it tonight, and hard to say we didn't deserve the win, but of they had got an equaliser we could have had no complaints because you cannot invite pressure like that, you have to hold on to the ball. We would get destroyed in the Prem doing this. I think this is something that can and must be addressed. Well done Town. And loving that orange kit! Best Town strip since...since...

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Palestine added 00:18 - Sep 23 Tyrone Mings I'm gonna call it - I think Mings is already a better prospect than Cresswell. How many here would swap him for Cresswell? I wouldn't. I think Mings is already worth more than £5m. I am going to predict he well sell for more than £10m. Will see by the votes if people think this is astute thinking or nonsense!
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BrettenhamBlue added 00:36 - Sep 23 Didn't see the game but well done to everyone at the club. Difficult place to go and get 3 points and puts us in a really good position in the league. How things have changed since the Norwich game!
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Toronto_Tractor added 01:04 - Sep 23 Why does there always have to be a divide regardless of the story being commented on. We did well to get the win. Fact. Most wins come with a slice of luck. Fact. Some people on here have a bizarre agenda against MM and ME. Fact. Interestingly, the critics or 'realists' never seem to come up with any alternatives to who should be paying for players and who should be picking the team. We have improved a lot under McCarthy. Fact. We are not the most entertaining side to watch. Fact. I get frustrated too but when you weigh up our sorry situation (12 years and counting) there is some room for optimism, or at least hope. Let's enjoy the wins, regardless of how they come. Because I guarantee there will be games when we say, how did we not get anything there? Bring on Rotherham, 4 on the trot would be amazing!

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Ryorry added 01:56 - Sep 23 Just *look* at that team photo - says so much. We now have a team of our own players who fight and are together, with a wonderful team spirit. That is superb man management by Mick and El Tel, and you sense also that the backroom staff are also a very together team. A special mention for the fitness coach tonight, the players' physical and mental toughness in hanging on for the last 10-15 mins of the game, a previously notoriously tricky time for us, played a big part. ITFCRealist, are you for real?! ;)

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 04:52 - Sep 23 Slow, steady progress throughout the season rather than blowing hot and cold is likely to bring success in the Championship. (Would have taken a point before the match.) Very impressed with the tactics and performance last night. We looked calm and assured, barring the opposition's inevitable pressure at the end. Utd. dominated against Leicester and then blew it completely. We dominated against Wigan and then held on. Quality! Onwards and upwards!

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Steve70 added 07:24 - Sep 23 Getting a good run together early in the season can only be a good thing. Too many times we are playing catch up with other teams above us. Not getting carried away just yet come new year and we can continue with a good run then who know ? COYB
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IpswichFan26 added 07:25 - Sep 23 I meant to like your comment there not dislike it fat_boy_tim, sorry!
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Stato added 07:52 - Sep 23 Can't see too many 9 year olds begging their Dad's to take them to Portman Road to watch Gerken hoof the ball down to Murphy and Sammon. MM set us up to match Wigan so less of a tactical genius and more of a defensive approach designed to cancel out their attacking flair. Is Dave Beasant available to do our goalkeeper coaching ? No need to join the happy clappy brigade as they are clamouring over themselves to praise Mick but not many pointing out that he left 3 up front for too long and we were getting over run in midfield. Three scrappy wins is great but easily have been 3 losses. I wonder what our total shots on target number is for the last 3 games. I am guessing less than 12 and that is nothing to get excited about.

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jas0999 added 07:56 - Sep 23 Blueboy1981 - as you know I squally agree with you, but not on this occasion. As I said in my post it was a nervy finish, but for 75 minutes we dominated the game in my opinion and thoroughly deserved to win. It as an cel lent away day performance. Yes, Wigan fave it their all for the last 15 minutes, but if we had have done that, people on here would say it's no good playing. For just the last 15. I personally felt last nights showing was better than the performances against Millwall and Brighton. Overall, I thought we defended well, but in fact if anything wayward finishing could have cost us, as could have been 4 up. Murphy should have done better on two occasions.

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