Town's dismal start to the season continued as they deservedly lost 1-0 at Wigan's JJB Stadium. The Blues were rarely on top in a game won by a second half Nathan Ellington goal, the striker deflecting Jason Jarrett's shot past Kelvin Davis.

Joe Royle arranged his side in a 3-5-2 moving on occasions to 4-4-2 with the promised changes a left-sided role for Matt Richards and an inclusion for Jermaine Wright. Pablo Couñago and Georges Santos remained on the bench.

Wigan came close to going in front from a 12th minute corner on the right. A deep Jimmy Bullard kick found Ian Breckin, whose header was pushed away by Kelvin Davis.

Bullard again tested Davis a minute later, the keeper parrying away his shot. Another Bullard effort was easier for the stopper, the ball flying well past Davis' left post.

Town's first attempt of the game saw Marcus Bent put a spectacular overhead kick wide from Fabian Wilnis' cross in the 15th minute.

There was more danger at the back for Town when Ellington ran on to a poor Wright backpass. But with Davis well out of his goal, the former Bristol Rovers man put the ball well over the bar.

Town's best move of the half up to then came on 20. Tommy Miller won the ball on halfway and played it to Jim Magilton. The Northern Irishman passed the ball ahead of Darren Bent down the left who crossed, keeper John Filan claiming just before Marcus Bent.

A minute later Ellington seized on a mix-up between Wright and Wilnis on the edge of the Town area and hit a shot which Davis saved, again not holding on to the ball.

Soon after, with Wigan having by far the best of it, the ball deflected into the path of Neil Roberts, putting him through on goal. Davis drove him wide and Wilnis did well to clear his cross before Liddell could play into the keeperless goal.

There was a lucky escape for the Blues on 29 when Naylor lost Bullard in space behind him in the middle with Ellington breaking quickly down the left. The striker played the ball into Bullard but the ex-Peterborough player had strayed offside. Naylor was clearly disappointed to have been caught ball-watching rather than keeping an eye on Bullard.

Wigan had the ball in the net in the 35th minute. Chris Makin and Matt Richards had failed to keep Andy Liddell and he was the man to put the ball past Davis from Nicky Eaden low right wing cross, only to see that the linesman's flag had been raised.

Seven minutes before the break Steve McMillan was booked for a foul on Marcus Bent. Jim Magilton swung in a freekick from the right for Darren Bent who got up well, but headed wide.

Just before the break former Norwich man Matt Jackson appeared to deliberately play a right wing cross back to his goalkeeper who claimed with his hands with Matt Richards lurking behind him. Referee Parkes saw the incident as unintentional.

Town had been very poor throughout the half with confidence very much lacking. It was little surprise that a change was made at the break, however any one of several players could have been sacrificed.

As it was, Darren Bent was withdrawn, Pablo Couñago taking over up front alongside Marcus Bent.

Bullard forced Davis into action again just after the break, the midfielder's shot saved but again not held by Davis. Bullard collided with Chris Makin as he followed up his effort and claimed an audacious penalty which the referee looked less than interested in.

Jarrett broke well on the Wigan right in the 48th minute but his pass went across the face of goal with no Latics player there to put stab the ball home.

Jermaine Wright finished off a fine Town move with a shot wide in the 50th minute from a Marcus Bent cross.

Shortly after Jim Magilton picked up a yellow card for a foul on Jarrett, the Wigan player making a strong run down the right. Jarrett himself was in the book less than a minute later for stopping Town taking a quick freekick.

The Blues were having their best spell of the game and on 55 Tommy Miller hit a weak 15-yard shot straight at Filan when he ought to have scored. The opportunity had been carved out well by Magilton, Wright and Couñago down the right and was Town's best chance of the game up to then.

A minute later Wigan went ahead. A cross from the left was headed back by Liddle into the centre. Jarrett shot, his effort appearing to deflect off Ellington, leaving Davis wrong footed.

On the hour Town had a glorious chance to get back on terms. Couñago was played through one-on-one with Filan. The Spaniard took the ball past the keeper to the left, Filan catching him quite strongly with his arm, sending Couñago wider than he would have wanted.

The former Celta Vigo player stayed on his feet when he perhaps should have gone to ground and hit a weak shot goalwards only for Breckin to get back to clear. As against Coventry Couñago had come close without managing to finish. Soon after Dean Bowditch was brought on for the disappointing Matt Richards.

On 70 Chris Makin got himself into the book for dissent after being harshly penalised for a foul. A minute later Ian Westlake replaced the below par Tommy Miller.

Westlake's first contribution was a fine pass which picked out Couñago on the left. He took the ball inside but put his cross just behind Marcus Bent who couldn't get his shot in. Dean Bowditch followed up but put his edge of the area strike over the bar. A decent chance but as so often this season wasted.

With six minutes remaining a Wilnis freekick on the right was flicked on by Marcus Bent. Couñago chased but Filan blocked, the ball not falling for a Town player.

Former Blues' loanee Mark Burchill almost got himself on the scoresheet in the closing stages, the sub beating Chris Makin but hitting a shot which was saved by Davis.

A thoroughly dispiriting performance from a Town side who look completely without confidence or ideas. All too often, particularly in the first half, the ball was given away badly in dangerous areas and the Blues were lucky to go in on terms at the break.

Wigan's passing was slicker throughout and only the Town defence can come out of the game with much credit. The lack of movement and ideas illustrate that confidence is low, as does the tendency for players to pass the buck when they were in positions where a shot rather than a pass might have been more profitable.

At the end of the match boos again rung around the Town support, and unless there is a massive improvement, the same thing will happen on Saturday against West Ham.

Town: Davis, Wilnis, Makin, Diallo, Naylor, Magilton, Wright, Richards (Bowditch 63), Miller, (Westlake 71), D Bent (Couñago 46), M Bent.

Photo: Action Images

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