Chesterfield 2-3 Wigan: Wigan fightback stuns Spireites

An astonishing late fightback from Wigan saw them earn an unlikely 3-2 victory at Chesterfield.

The Spireites were coasting with 80 minutes on the clock, leading courtesy of goals from Dan Gardner and a Leon Barnett own goal.

But Barnett got the comeback going before Craig Davies, against his old club, levelled things up from the penalty spot and substitute Jordy Hiwula won it for Wigan in the 90th minute.

It was a first away win for Latics boss Gary Caldwell and a first home defeat for Chesterfield manager Dean Saunders.

Chesterfield started well and Richard O'Donnell, one of three former Spireites for the visitors along with Davies and Dave Perkins, produced a fine save to palm out Ian Evatt's header and Donervon Daniels threw himself in front of Liam O'Neil's follow-up shot to prevent a certain goal and deflect the ball over the crossbar.

Wigan went close when Davies, not for the first time, out-stripped Evatt for pace to reach a through ball but Tommy Lee was out quickly to narrow the angle and stood up long enough to block his former team-mate's shot.

Terrible defending from Chesterfield saw Davies beat Evatt to the ball again and set up Michael Jacobs with a square pass but Lee once again made a terrific blocking save.

Chesterfield were unfortunate not to take the lead early in the second half when Jay O'Shea's goalbound shot from 10 yards out struck Lee Novak in the face and deflected wide.

Davies should have put Wigan in front on the hour but stabbed his shot over the crossbar with the goal gaping after Lee had cut out a low Perkins cross.

It proved a costly miss as the following eight minutes saw Chesterfield surge ahead.

Gardner collected possession out on the left before cutting infield and curling an unstoppable right-foot shot into the far top corner of the net to put the hosts ahead. A misguided header from Barnett then saw him direct Dan Jones' free-kick into his own net.

Lee denied Davies again when one-on-one with the striker but from the resulting corner Barnett made amends for his error by volleying home from the edge of the box after 81 minutes after Chesterfield struggled to clear their lines.

Lee thwarted Davies again before a miss of the season contender from substitute Hiwula who managed to send his shot against the crossbar from six yards.

Sam Hird lunged in on Chris McCann and Davies blasted the resulting penalty into the bottom corner with three minutes left before Hiwula turned in the winner from close range after a scramble inside the box.