Wigan Athletic 1-0 Cambridge United match report: Luke Robinson scores only goal to win League One encounter at Brick Community Stadium
Cambridge United’s League One survival hopes appear to be fading after this afternoon’s 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic left them 10 points from safety.
Wigan’s only attempt on target of the first half came in the 11th minute when Dale Taylor’s acrobatic effort from Baba Adeeko’s cross was kept out by Nathan Bishop.
After that it was Bishop’s opposite number Sam Tickle that was much the busier of the two goalkeepers.
The Wigan custodian was on hand to frustrate Josh Stokes on a couple of occasions while he produced his best work in the 31st minute to frustrate Dom Ballard. The Southampton loanee – making his second start for United – showed great pace down the left hand side to get away from Will Amison but after cutting inside and shooting, his effort was turned behind for a corner by Tickle’s left hand.
James Brophy flashed a half volley from the edge of the box just over as Cambridge started brightly after the restart, but as the second half wore on it was the hosts that looked the more threatening.
Jonny Smith curled just wide from 20 yards out on the hour mark and nine minutes later the 24-year-old drove in a low effort that Bishop did well to hold.
However, Bishop was unable to keep a grip of the ball when Wigan broke the deadlock 13 minutes from time. The Sunderland loanee could only parry Adeeko’s attempt from just outside the area and substitute Luke Robinson reacted quicker than Liam Bennett to turn in the rebound from close range.
The response from Cambridge was muted, and not even a late triple attacking change from boss Neil Harris was able to spark his side into life.
Cambridge are back in the north west on Tuesday night when they travel to face Blackpool.
Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Carragher, Amison, Kerr, Chambers (Robinson 63’), Adeeko, Norburn (S Smith 63’), J Smith (McManaman 88’), Mellish, Darcy (Dale 46’), Taylor (Sze 70’)
Cambridge United: Bishop, Malone (Okedina 71’), Morrison, Watts, Bennett (Longelo 83’), Digby (Barton 84’), Cousins, Brophy, Kachunga (Njoku 84’), Stokes, Ballard (Nlundulu 63’)
