Wigan 2-3 Ipswich: David McGoldrick snatches late winner

A header from David McGoldrick two minutes from time secured a dramatic Sky Bet Championship victory for Ipswich at Wigan by the odd goal in five.

Town led after seven minutes through Brett Pittman's penalty, but two goals from Yanic Wildschut threatened to give Wigan their first home win since September 27.

However, Wigan could not find a third goal that would have surely clinched a very welcome three points and Pittman popped up with an equaliser midway through the second period after good work from McGoldrick.

With Wigan pushing for a late winner, they were caught on the break when McGoldrick headed in off a post to the delight of the away fans behind the goal.

The home side got off to the worst possible start when Ipswich were handed a soft penalty by referee Keith Stroud. As Tom Lawrence dribbled into the Wigan box, Dan Burn appeared to win the ball before colliding with the Wales international.

But, to the dismay of the defender and all of his team-mates, the official pointed to the penalty spot. Pittman was not hanging around to argue and sent the spot-kick coolly into the bottom corner.

Wigan were initially unable to rouse themselves into a response, with a Will Grigg header off Michael Jacobs' cross, that flew comfortably into the arms of Bartosz Bialkowski, their solitary effort in the first half-hour. But they kept at it and were rewarded with an equaliser 11 minutes before the break.

Bialkowski did superbly to get his right hand to a Max Power free-kick that swerved viciously in the air, but Wildschut was on the spot to smash home from six yards to make it 1-1.

The home side picked up where they left off in the second half and Wildschut fired wide and then straight at Bialkowski in quick succession.Jake Buxton then wasted a great opportunity when he headed straight at the goalkeeper, who could only parry out a cross from Andy Kellett.

But the goal that had been coming eventually arrived just after the hour mark, when Wildschut beat three Town players down the Wigan left before slotting home into the top corner.

It was almost 3-1 within seconds as Bialkowski fumbled a long-range strike from Power, only to turn around and regather before it could roll over the line.

And Wigan were punished for their profligacy when Town equalised with their first attempt of the second period, Pittman again from close range after good work from McGoldrick.

Pittman spurned a gilt-edge chance to complete hit hat-trick, blasting high and wide from the edge of the area. But the visitors did find a late winner when McGoldrick headed home from six yards in off a post.

Wigan boss Warren Joyce:

"I'm disappointed obviously with the first goal, it's a real kick in the teeth because it's not a penalty, and suddenly we're 1-0 down and in a difficult situation. With the way results have gone - results, not performances - it tested our character, and I thought we showed great character.

"I thought we played some really flowing football in the second half, and I don't think scoring three or four goals would have been unrealistic, really.n It's a real kick in the teeth to concede again. I thought we could have managed the game better at 2-1."

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy:

"You know my thoughts on Bart [Bialkowski], I think he's the best in the league. If there's a better one, then I haven't seen him. But you know what, lots of people require different things in a goalkeeper.

"Some people like them to be good with their feet, almost like a sweeper and be clipping the ball here, thee and everywhere - that wouldn't suit him. But he catches it and keeps it out of his net, which is a particularly good quality in a goalkeeper I think. He's different class, he really is. He's a top-class goalie."