Chukwuemeka helps Cobblers to edgy but vital win over Wigan Athletic

Cobblers picked up three priceless if unconvincing points with an edgy 3-2 victory over Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

Wigan were ravaged by injuries and fielded a very inexperienced side and it showed in the first 45 minutes when Town dominated and eased into a two-goal lead, which was the least they deserved.

The scorer of the first goal was disputed as Ryan Watson and Danny Rose both tried to claim it but there were no arguments over the second after Sam Hoskins finished well.

Cobblers really should have put their foot down and coasted to a more comfortable victory but they were jittery and passive in the second-half and somewhat fortunate to escape with all three points.

Joe Garner's penalty was quickly cancelled out by Caleb Chukwuemeka's first league goal - a well-taken finish - before Tom James set up a tense final 15 minutes, but Town just about held on for only their second league win in eight matches.

Keith Curle made two changes from Tuesday's defeat at Portsmouth as Nicky Adams came in for his 600th career appearance and Danny Rose replaced Ricky Korboa in attack.

After a tentative start by two out-of-form teams, Cobblers fashioned the first chance on nine minutes when Watson took down a long ball and burst into the penalty area, but home goalkeeper James Jones smothered bravely at his feet.

Watson also headed over after Fraser Horsfall's miscued volley and Jones beat away Rose's long-range shot as Town pushed their hosts back, and it was no surprise when they broke the deadlock with a very scruffy goal on 13 minutes.

Adams' deep cross was flicked on by Harry Smith and Rose's scuffed shot somehow nestled into the bottom corner, with Watson claiming he got the faintest of touches but it may have gone in off a defender.

Jonathan Mitchell was immediately called into action at the other end, flying to his left to keep out Dan Gardner's long-range hit, but despite Wigan's decent response to going behind, Town had a second midway through the half.

A lot of the credit went to Michael Harriman who read the play to intercept a loose ball and head, perhaps inadvertently, into the path of Hoskins, who drove powerfully into the box and buried his shot into the bottom corner.

Wigan had a decent foothold in the game possession-wise but all they could muster were long-range shots and even those struggled to test Mitchell in the away goal.

By contrast, Town could have been out of sight by half-time had they made more of several decent opportunities. Rose's dangerous cross flashed across the face of goal and then Jones saved with his legs after a nice turn and shot from Watson.

Town were lacklustre in the early stages of the second-half and nearly paid the price for it with Cian Bolger closing to turning into his own net and Tom James curling just wide.

But Wigan got back into the contest just past the hour mark courtesy of a clumsy challenge by Michael Harriman. He needlessly tripped Tom Pearce inside the box and Garner sent Mitchell the wrong way from the spot.

Chukwuemeka, introduced just before the goal, missed a good chance to hit back straightaway, however Cobblers jitters were relaxed again just two minutes later through the same man. The referee played a good advantage, Watson found Hoskins and he pulled the ball back for Chukwuemeka to sweep into the bottom corner.

That should have allowed Cobblers to ease to victory but Wigan were back in it again with 15 minutes to go. A prolonged spell of pressure ended with James heading home Pearce's left-wing from close-range.

It was all hands on the desk for the final 10 minutes and James was so close to equalising when he hit the post, but Town just about clung on for an important victory.

Wigan: Jones, Pearce, Garner (c), Palmer, Gardner, Merrie, Perry, James, Aasgaard (Joseph 73), Long, Crankshaw (Obi 22)

Subs not used: Evans, Jolley, Baningime, Robinson, McHugh

Cobblers: Mitchell, Bolger (c), Sheehan, Horsfall, Harriman, Adams (Marshall 67), Watson, Sowerby, Hoskins, Rose (Chukwuemeka 61), Smith (Racic 89)

Subs not used: Arnold, Missilou, Roberts, Korboa

Refere: Joshua Smith