Wigan beaten by Reading in first match after Ryan Lowe departure

Wigan started the post-Ryan Lowe era with a 2-1 defeat to Reading as Leam Richardson enjoyed a winning return to the Brick Community Stadium in Sky Bet League One.

The home side started the brighter and had the ball in the net inside four minutes, but the offside flag was up before Harrison Bettoni fired home from a tight angle.

Bettoni then shot wide from a good position after Matt Smith’s clever pass, with Callum Wright fizzing a shot over the bar from 20 yards.

At the other end, it needed three Wigan blocks in quick succession to keep Reading at bay.

Having edged the first half, Wigan fell behind within four minutes of the restart when a totally unmarked Jeriel Dorsett headed home from close range.

The home side’s response was to throw on strikers Joe Taylor and Dara Costelloe for the last half an hour.

And it was Taylor who nodded Wigan level with 23 minutes remaining from Fraser Murray’s left-wing cross.

Another substitute, Raphael Borges Rodrigues, saw a shot helped round the post by Joel Pereira as Wigan pushed for a winner.

But Reading regained the lead four minutes from time when Paudie O’Connor headed home a right-wing free-kick from six yards.