Wigan relegated as Reading earn draw in injury time

Wigan Athletic were relegated from the Championship in an incredible finale as substitute Yakou Meite scored a 93rd-minute equaliser to boost Reading’s own survival prospects.

But Wigan keeper Jamie Jones failed to gather a corner and Meite converted from close range to earn a point.

The goal sees Reading move to within a point of safety but they have played two games more than closest rivals Huddersfield Town and could be relegated before their final game of the season next weekend if other results go against them.

Managerless Reading could drop to the third tier before their final game – which is against Huddersfield on Monday, 8 May – if the Terriers pick up four points from their two games in hand, and Rotherham beat Middlesbrough on Monday, 1 May.

Jones had looked like being the man to keep Wigan’s slim hopes alive, making a number of fine saves to keep them on track for a third successive win and frustrate an increasingly desperate home side.

But the Royals, who have now have gone 12 games without a win, salvaged a point midway through the six minutes of time added to at least give them hope of staying in the second tier.

Points deductions have had a significant impact on both sides’ survival prospects, Reading for breaching the terms of an agreed business plan with the English Football League and Wigan losing three points for repeated non-payment of wages.

Latics’ victories over Millwall and Stoke City had retained hopes of an unlikely escape but they were second best for much of the game and failed to manage a shot on target in the first half.

It was centre-half Hughes who went closest for them, a volley that went narrowly wide, but Reading – with Junior Hoilett impressing, were the more threatening.

Jones had to save smartly with his legs to keep out Jeff Hendrick’s attempt from a tight angle and then made a superb reaction stop from Lucas Joao.

The visitors upped the tempo after the break with James McClean volleying over and Christ Tiehi shooting way off target after a fine run, before Hughes broke the deadlock with a fine downward header at the back post.

Reading piled forward in the closing stages and were rewarded when Meite smashed the ball home after a mighty goalmouth scramble to end Wigan’s stay in the Championship after one year.

Latics go from optimism to despair

Less than 12 months ago, optimism shone through at the DW Stadium. From the pain of administration and relegation during Covid in 2020 to the joys of promotion just two years later.

Things looked bright for Wigan Athletic under new ownership and, with an assured 2021-22 League One title winning campaign under boss Leam Richardson, you would have been forgiven for thinking the Latics had at least a decent shot at remaining in the second tier.

So how do you sum up their 2022-23 campaign? Ask the club’s supporters and it will not be one that lives in the memory.

Richardson, who had so valiantly led the club to the third-tier title in his first full season in charge and had a stand named after him, was sacked in November.

His departure came just over two weeks after he signed a new three-year deal, but he exited with the club already in trouble in the relegation places.

With a World Cup break giving the potential to steady their descent, the Latics appointed former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure as their new boss – his first job in first-team management.

His tenure at the club lasted just two months, and nine games and without a single victory, by which point the club were in the midst of a battle against the drop past the midway point of the season.

In stepped former winger Shaun Maloney to lead the club, their third manager of the season, with the Latics bottom of the league upon his appointment.

But there was more misery to come. Wigan received a three-point deduction for paying their players late on four occasions in less than 12 months – the players released an open letter to say the club had “disrespected” them and chief executive Mal Brannigan left his post.

With their deficit at the bottom increased, Wigan were realistically doomed long before their fate was sealed in such cruel fashion against Reading.

Reading manager Noel Hunt told BBC Radio Berkshire:

“The fans stayed with us the whole way through and even when Wigan scored a goal they didn’t deserve, I thought they gave us strength to pick up and go again.

“We should be putting these teams to bed and on another day I think things could have been different.

“I’m gutted for the boys and fans because I thought we were terrific today and they deserve so much more. We controlled the game from start to finish and I do believe there is still a lot more in the tank. I’ve told the boys to keep believing.

“We’ve just go to wait now and see what the story is and fingers crossed things go our way, then we go up there with a plan to beat Huddersfield next week.”

Wigan boss Shaun Maloney:

“It’s a really difficult feeling at the moment. It’s been a really difficult day for everyone – a deeply painful day. It’s been a real mix of emotions.

“The players have given me everything since I took over and I couldn’t have asked for any more effort from them. We’ve won games and we’ve lost games but, in terms of the group of players, they’ve been immense for me.

“It’s been such a unique situation here at the club, especially with the three-point deduction. We then knew it was going to be very difficult for us. But for the players and the fans, just a massive thank you to them for all they have given me and their club.

“At the end of the season, the table doesn’t lie. That’s fair. But from what the players have given me, they haven’t been one of the worst three teams in that time.

“I’ve now got to make sure that we don’t ever have a season like this again – on or off the pitch. When Charlie (Hughes) scored, I’m normally pretty calm in these moments. But I also know that football can take away from you as well – and, unfortunately, it did.

“At 1-0 we had to find a structure to see the game out. But from a set-play, the bounce of the ball landed to Reading.”