Rovers travelled to the DW stadium looking to build on the good point gained at Fleetwood.
The first half saw Wigan enjoy plenty of possession and with only the isolated John Marquis up top Rovers struggled to break forward. The pressure kept coming with only an Andy Butler block preventing a certain goal.
Michael Jacobs then dished out another warning as he headed just over. However, the warning went unheeded and the pressure finally told on 40 minutes as Jacobs struck from the edge of the box to give Wigan the lead.
Two minutes later Rovers wasted a golden chance when an unmarked Marquis scuffed wide from eight yards out – a moment Darren Ferguson would later deem the game’s turning point. Just before half time the outclassed Rovers were carved open again and Ryan Colclough, via a deflection, made it 2-0.
With Andy Williams brought on to partner Marquis, Rovers began to show more attacking intent after the break. Rodney Kongolo saw a shot go wide, before an all too easy Colclough header sealed the game before the hour mark. The game petered out from there, and such was the gulf in class Colclough then found time to pop off and have a baby.
This was a concerning display from Rovers who disappointed at both ends of the pitch. Rotation now looks certain for Saturday’s game but with a lack of creativity throughout the squad it is difficult to see how things will change.
by Tom Wright
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