Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney on Carlisle United draw

The Latics dominated the first half and led through Charlie Wyke’s goal at his former club – only for the Blues to fight back impressively.

The 1-1 draw denied Wigan the chance to wipe out their eight-point deduction in the space of three games.

Manager Maloney admitted that, after a highly impressive first half from his side, Paul Simpson’s Blues made life difficult for Wigan.

“I think anyone that was here would say that first half was as good a performance, as good a football as I’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Maloney.

Shaun Maloney (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“My only criticism is when you are that good you have to put teams away.

“In the second half, the last 40 minutes or so, it was a proper game. And that’s what happens if you don’t put teams away…

“We have a mistake on the ball, they punish us and then it turned into a real game.”

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Owen Moxon fired Carlisle level and the Cumbrians gave Wigan plenty of problems in a high-energy fightback.

Previously the Latics had hit the woodwork twice in the first half, but United did much of the pushing after the break.

Charlie Wyke opens the scoring against his former club (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“We created a lot of chances, we didn’t take them and Carlisle made it very difficult second half, they played well second half,” Maloney added to Latics TV.

“There was a period of the game where we lost a bit of control, but in the last ten minutes we got it back.

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“Sometimes you learn more in the moments that are really difficult.

“I was desperate to win the game but I’m very happy with how we played.”

Maloney also had words of praise for goalscorer Wyke, who gave a muted celebration to his goal at the ground where he played from 2015-17.

“Charlie Wyke is playing at a very good level at the moment,” said the Wigan chief.