SWINDON Town were desperately unlucky as they conceded in the final minute of added time to lose 1-0 to Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

It was a spirited display from the managerless travelling side, who had to stand up to some fierce pressure in the second half, but Francisco Junior broke their hearts as he bundled home from close range deep with the game beyond 90 minutes.

It was unfortunate and little undeserved as Lawrence Vigouroux appeared to be fouled as he spilled the cross in the build-up.

Just prior to the goal Vigouroux had made a fantastic save to deny Reece James as it looked like Town would leave with a point.

Although Wigan dominated the majority of the game Ben Gladwin’s first half strike that hit the post was the closest a player on either side to scoring.

Power opted to keep the same team that won a hard-earned point with some late dramatics against Coventry.

Despite a reported illness Fabien Robert was on the bench, as were Jonathan Obika and Jermaine Hylton and Louis Thompson.

It was hairy opening couple of minutes for Town as Yanic Wildschut immediately caused problems on the left. The Dutchman beat Bradley Barry with ease and cut along the byline before trickling an effort all the way across the goalmouth.

Town eventually cleared after a fashion, but not before the hosts had several other half-chances to get shots off, none of which were successful.

It was not long before Swindon fashioned a chance of their own. Nicky Ajose was slipped in down the left and did well to pick out Anton Rodgers with a ball to the back post. The midfielder slipped when bringing the ball under control, but managed to shoot – off-balance – just wide.

The Latics were next to threaten, Will Grigg was slipped in down the side of Adam El-Abd and from an acute angle shot across goal. Fortunately for Town it went wide of Vigouroux’s left post.

The frenetic pace slowed a little then, with both sides enjoying spells of possession.

Town were struggling to put together any long series of possession, but looked dangerous on the counter.

One such break saw Gladwin come closest of either side to scoring. Nicking the ball near half way the midfielder drove at the Wigan defence, almost going clear, but a slip allowed numbers to get back. Instead Gladwin sprayed the ball wide to Ajose, who drew a couple of men and returned the ball to the QPR loanee. Shooting first-time Gladwin clipped the post and saw the ball bounce clear.

Wildschut was providing Barry and Raphael Branco a real headache with his movement from the left forward channel and had a number of efforts on goal, although none good enough to beat Vigouroux.

As the half wore on the home side asserted their control on the game. Town struggled to play out and kept surrendering the ball near halfway, however Wigan could not take advantage managing only weak efforts or comfortable shots from distance. Half-time came with the scoreline blank.

Town had to deal with two serious incidents in the first 15 minutes after the break. Firstly Grigg got free on the edge of the box, but could only blaze over as Branco got back at him.

Grigg’s next attempt was closer. A clever corner routine saw the ball drilled low into the box and the striker’s first-time effort had to be cleared off the line by Jordan Turnbull.

Wigan continued to press forward and enjoy the better of the play but could not find a way past Town, with Turnbull in excellent form at the back.

When Wigan did finally fashion a chance with 10 minutes left, James found Vigouoroux in fine form to deny him from eight yards out.

Then deep into added time Junior bundled home after Vigouroux spilled Craig Davies’ cross to send Town home empty handed.

Town: Vigouroux, Barry, Branco, El-Abd, Turnbull, Kasim (C), Rodgers (Thompson, 59), Gladwin, Ojamaa, Brophy (Robert, 69), Ajose (Obika, 59).

Substitutes not used: Belford, Ormonde-Ottewill, Balmy, Hylton.

Wigan Athletic: Jaaskelainen, James, Perkins, Daniels, Power (Junior, 53), McCann, Grigg, Jacobs (Cowie, 68), Morgan [C], Love, Wildschut (Davies, 68).

Substitutes not used: O'Donnell, Chow, Barnett, Vuckic.

Attendance: 8,466 (529)

Ref: Nigel Miller