Hogan ends Wigan goal drought in Reading win but Latics remain bottom

Scott Hogan ended Wigan Athletic's 447-minute wait for a league goal as they beat Reading 1-0 on Saturday, although the victory was not enough to lift them off the bottom of League One. According to the Guardian's report, the result at the Brick Community Stadium was only Wigan's second league win of the campaign.

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Hogan struck in the 71st minute after Reading goalkeeper Joel Pereira parried a cross from substitute Christian Saydee. Wigan goalkeeper Joe Whitworth was called into action repeatedly as the home side protected their advantage. The goal brought Wigan's total to six in nine league games, the lowest tally in the division, underlining the scoring difficulties that have accompanied their poor start.

Manager Gary Caldwell praised his players' determination to keep Reading out but acknowledged that several parts of their performance still needed improvement. In comments reported by the Guardian, he described the closing stages as stressful and said the result would help the players psychologically. Caldwell emphasised the importance of maintaining belief and commitment while building on the victory, rather than treating it as the end of their problems.

The opposition dugout contained a familiar figure in Leam Richardson, who led Wigan to the League One title in April 2022. He was dismissed the following November, just 16 days after signing a new three-year contract. Caldwell is also in his second spell as Wigan manager, having returned from Exeter last season after previously guiding the club to promotion from League One in 2015-16.

The win came against a backdrop of financial restrictions and uncertainty over the club's ownership. The Guardian reported that owner Mike Danson wants to sell and that the £1.5m received from Sam Tickle's move to Bristol City had not yet been reinvested in players. Danson and his family rescued Wigan from liquidation in June 2023, after problems under previous owners contributed to a points deduction and relegation from the Championship.

Three subsequent mid-table League One finishes preceded this season's slide. The Wigan Athletic Supporters Action Group is seeking answers over the lack of investment and the difficulty in finding a buyer, the Guardian reported. Saturday's clean sheet and three points provided an immediate improvement on the field, but Wigan remained at the foot of the table despite ending their long wait for a goal.