Gary Caldwell full of praise for his Wigan side after win over Mansfield

Wigan boss Gary Caldwell was full of praise for his side following their 2-1 win over Mansfield at the Brick Community Stadium.

Latics have scooped seven points from their last three games, with Caldwell’s side now five points above the relegation zone with just four games of the campaign remaining as they look to secure their League One status for next season.

Callum Wright opened the scoring for Wigan in the 25th minute before Mansfield equalised just three minutes later through Lucas Akins, which saw the scores level at 1-1 at half-time.

A penalty from Wigan talisman Joe Taylor on 71 minutes proved decisive, with the loanee having been brought down in the box by Mansfield’s Frazer Blake-Tracy.

“I’m delighted,” said Caldwell. “It was a really difficult game.

“I’ve said before how tough it is to prepare for Mansfield, and it showed in the game. They played two different formations, in the first half and second half, so we had to adapt and change throughout, but the players were incredible again.

“They kept going, they kept knocking on the door in the second half where I felt like it was going to be a bit of quality or a mistake that could win the game. We came up with a great run, a stonewall penalty, we’ve had many this season, that’s the first one that was given, and he tucked it away, so I’m delighted with the win.”

Meanwhile, Caldwell hailed star man Wright, who has been one of Wigan’s standout players all season.

“I’m delighted for him – his performances since I’ve come in have been exceptional,” Caldwell added.

“Now he’s adding goals to his game, which takes him onto another level, so I’m delighted he got another goal today.”

Meanwhile, Mansfield boss Nigel Clough made his feelings clear about his side’s performance, having gone into the game on the back of an eight-match unbeaten streak.

“It was incredibly disappointing to give an eight-game unbeaten run up in that fashion,” Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

“We’ve defended unbelievably well this season in 39 games to have the third-best defensive record, and then to give it away in such a manner today is very disappointing.

“Some poor defensive decisions today – just lack of thought, really, not lack of effort. That’s always there, but just a lack of thought, whether people think we’re safe with seven games to go or whatever (I don’t know), but the pride that we’ve taken in this eight-game unbeaten run should have been maintained today.”