Swindon Town

SWINDON Town slipped to a 4-1 home defeat against high flying Wigan and lost captain Nathan Thompson to an 86th minute red card, writes Adrian Smith.

Two goals from Will Grigg, a Max Power piledriver and one from Sam Morsy ensured that the visitors would record their first ever win at the County Ground. Town’s leading scorer Nicky Ajose notched his 22nd goal of the season.

Wigan kicked off in bright sunshine playing towards the 888sport Town End and their first serious attack on goal came via a Max Power free kick in the 6th minute, which Ty Belford did well to tip over for a corner.

Nathan Thompson went on a one man mission in the 10th minute trying to open the scoring in collecting the ball on the halfway line before jinking past several Wigan players then firing just wide of the upright.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute when a defence splitting ball by Chris McCann from the left wing reached Will Grigg who flicked the ball home from close range.

Nathan Thompson again found himself with a good opportunity in the 22nd minute after a defender misjudged the bounce of the ball but the Town skipper skewed his shot wide of the target.

Shortly afterwards Michael Doughty collected the ball on the edge of the area after a patient build up but his effort was easily saved by Wigan keeper Jaaskelainen.

A neat Town move involving several players ended when Doughty’s tricky cross was gathered by the visiting keeper in the 44th minute.

Wigan doubled their lead in the 47th minute when Max Power fired in an unstoppable angled shot from 25 yards which gave Belford no chance. Wigan went further ahead in the 50th minute when a Grigg shot was deflected past Belford.

Sam Morsy was then allowed to fire home moments later to put the Latics 4-0 up after 51 minutes.

Nicky Ajose went close in the 67th minute with a free kick but Jaaskelainen did well to get to his curled effort to push the ball out for a corner.

Town pulled one back in the 79th minute when leading scorer Nicky Ajose latched onto a superb through ball from Doughty and placed the ball to the left of the 'keeper to record his 22nd goal of the season.

Nathan Thompson was shown a straight red card in the 86th minute for following through and catching McCann with his studs after losing possession. McCann recovered quickly and went close with a powerful shot shortly afterwards but his effort was always rising over the bar.