Latics' first league penalty of the season earns a point in Devon – Exeter City 1 Wigan Athletic 1 

09/04/2025 02:00

• Wigan Athletic produced another underwhelming display to draw 1-1 with Exeter City at St James Park.
• In a scrappy game of poor quality Exeter enjoyed more possession and had more shots but Latics did just enough to come away with a point.
• Asamoah Jr won Latics their first league penalty of the season in the 50th minute and Dale Taylor calmly converted the spot-kick.
• The Grecians responded well to the setback and they equalised on 69 minutes when a long throw was headed out by Taylor only for Reece Cole to volley into the ground and into the top corner.
• The hosts pressed for a late equaliser but the visitors held on for an important point in their quest to stay above the relegation zone.
• Latics move up to 18th place and Exeter are in 15th place in the League One table.

Ryan Lowe made one change from their goalless draw at Leyton Orient, with Asamoah Jr replacing Jonny Smith in the starting line-up.

Latics started positively and enjoyed some early possession. On 17 minutes Asamoah Jr did well to win the ball down the left hand side and fire an angled drive which Joe Whitworth saved low down.

The Grecians had a couple of efforts from distance which didn’t trouble Sam Tickle, before a long throw was flicked on by Jack Fitzwater and comfortably saved by the Latics goalkeeper.

Fitzwater was then booked for a foul as he brought down the dangerous Asamoah Jr.

Tickle then did well to deny Cole's curling effort from the edge of the box, which he turned around the post.

A scrappy first period ended goalless but five minutes into the second half Latics won their first league penalty of the season as Luke Robinson played in Asamoah Jr who was brought down by Angus MacDonald in the box. 

Taylor stepped up and calmly fired the ball down the centre of the goal to put Lowe's men in front.

Latics had a chance to double their lead soon afterwards as Asamoah Jr's volley from inside the box hit James Carragher and Whitworth somehow managed to keep it out.

The Grecians quickly pushed for an equaliser with a succession of corners and they got their goal as a long throw was headed out by Taylor only to Cole who volleyed the ball into the ground and into the top corner.

Exeter were now in the ascendancy and Lowe decided to boost the midfield by replacing Scott Smith with Baba Adeeko on 70 minutes.

Jonny Smith and Jon Mellish then replaced Owen Dale and Robinson on 80 minutes.

Asamoah Jr had a good opportunity with seven minutes remaining as he chased a long ball  from Carragher, but he lifted the ball narrowly wide of the target.

Toby Sibbick replaced Harry McHugh on 89 minutes as Lowe tried to run the clock down.

In four minutes of added time the Grecians continued to press for the winner, but Latics did just enough to secure another point on the road.

Overview

Ryan Lowe’s team once again failed to impress against Exeter City at St James Park.

Lowe had expressed his desire for his team to be more attack minded but Latics were once again lacking any real cutting edge. Latics aimlessly pumped the ball forward in the hope that Taylor or Asamoah Jr might get lucky but there seemed little thought or creativity in their efforts. 

It’s hard to identify a coherent style of football under the new Latics manager but maybe this will come next season.

It’s fair to say that the club have had to struggle with numerous injuries and most of the players were recruited for a different style of football under Shaun Maloney.  

Lowe’s men are at least edging towards League One safety after another point on the road and they are now seven points clear of fourth bottom Burton with six games remaining.

As many of Latics’ fans have said recently, the sooner this season is over the better.

League One Table

Post match comments

Speaking post-game to the media, Lowe was pleased with aspects of their performance and wants to take the positives into Saturday's home clash against Wrexham AFC. 

"I thought we were very good in parts," he said.

"We had a calmness to us and played some football. We created some good opportunities getting down the sides.

"We had to deal with a lot of long balls in the second half but we withstood that. If we went 2-0 up, it would've been comfortable for us.

"It's our game in hand, and it's another point in the right direction. We would've loved three points if that one goes in from Maleace (Asamoah Jr) but I can't fault the effort and desire of the lads.

"I just said to the lads that we need to believe a little bit more. These boys have got some quality and if they believe a bit more, and enjoy the ball a bit more, they'll find it easier in games. 

"It's always a tough place to come, and the lads were excellent from start to finish. There were moments I was pleased with, and hopefully we can take that onto the weekend." 

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