WANDERERS were left regretting a missed first-half penalty as they slipped to a pre-season defeat against Wigan Athletic.
Ian Evatt’s side created plenty of chances and may wonder how they emerged empty-handed from a game played behind closed doors at their training ground at Lostock.
Elias Kachunga’s poor penalty 25 minutes in was a turning point, particularly as Charlie Wyke converted his spot kick just a couple of minutes later.
Ben Amos played well in the Latics goal and Wanderers dominated possession in the second period but were unable to get themselves level.
The first half was a tale of two penalties – one converted by Charlie Wyke and the other wasted by Elias Kachunga.
Wanderers created the better chances overall, Dapo Afolayan popping up dangerously on a couple of occasions only to find visiting keeper Ben Amos equal to his effort.
First chance fell to Wigan, Graeme Shinnie having an effort deflected over the top after latching on to Gethin Jones’ half clearance dropped on the edge of the box.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson put the ball in the net eight minutes in, only to have the goal ruled out for offside, and Afolayan then went close after some good work by Ireldale – playing as a wing-back – on the left. His cross fell invitingly but Amos managed to divert the ball over the bar from close range.
Wanderers were forcing the issue in midfield and Kyle Dempsey was unlucky after seizing on to a loose ball on the edge of the box, his shot blocked well by Joe Bennett.
Aaron Morley and Afolayan both tested Amos – and Bolton’s pressure looked to have paid off when Shinnie caught Conor Bradley on the edge of the area.
Kachunga took responsibility for the penalty but will hope his effort, blasted yards over the crossbar, wasn’t filmed by the in-house cameras.
Max Power skewed a shot over the bar from the edge of the area after Callum Lang had stolen a march on Gethin Jones, and moments later the Championship men had nudged ahead. Jamie McGrath was bundled down by Iredale and Wyke did the rest from 12 yards out.
Wanderers continued to make chances – Afolayan bringing another save out of Amos with a header – and after Wigan made 11 changes at the break, the Whites saw even more of the ball.
Conor Bradley fired over the bar after a good switch pass from Johnston and Aaron Morley got himself behind the Wigan back line but could not pick out a final ball.
Jason Kerr also made a fine last-ditch challenge on Afolayan before Wanderers also rang the changes.
Wigan improved in the latter stages and may have grabbed a second – Thelo Asgaard bringing a good save out of Joel Dixon and Kerr having a headed hooked off the line by Kieran Lee.
At the bitter end, though, Wanderers were denied yet again by the keeper – this time Jamie Jones – as the ball dropped perfectly for Lee in the penalty box after some neat football on the left from Williams and Thomason.
WANDERERS: Trafford, Bradley, Jones, Santos, Johnston, Iredale; Morley, Dempsey, Afolayan, Bodvarsson, Kachunga.
Subs: Sadlier 60 (for Bradley) , John 60 (for Iredale), Aimson 60 (for Jones), Senior 62 (Santos), Charles (Afolayan), Morley 62 (Thomason), , Williams 62 (for Dempsey) Stanley 62 (for Bodvarsson), Dixon 62 (for Trafford), Lee 62 (for Kachunga), Conway 64 (for Johnston).
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