Shaun Maloney thanks the travelling Latics fans after the gameShaun Maloney thanks the travelling Latics fans after the game
Shaun Maloney thanks the travelling Latics fans after the game
Shaun Maloney could not hide his 'frustration' that Wigan Athletic didn't take the 'big chances' at Chesterfield, who went on to win a Ventu Trophy round of 32 tie by the odd goal in five.
Latics responded well to the blow of falling behind to Armando Dobra's goal inside two minutes, with skipper-for-the-night Callum McManaman forcing an equaliser.
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However, the visitors were unable to make the most of good chances to go in front, with Joe Hugill having a hat-trick of decent opportunities, James Carragher heading over from a corner, and substitute Thelo Aasgaard firing over in the second period.
Aasgaard was also denied what he felt was a penalty shout before Chesterfield won a spot-kick of their own, when ex-Tic Ryan Colclough was fouled by Paul Dummett, and Wigan Academy graduate James Berry made it 2-1.
Dylan Markanday made it 3-1 wit three minutes to go, before Hugill pulled one back in the first of four added minutes.
Latics were unable to force a penalty shoot-out, leaving Maloney to wonder what might have been.
"Once we got it back to 1-1, we had enough chances to take the game away from Chesterfield," he said. "But I think that's kind of been the story of the last two or three months...we created chances, and big chances at that, we just didn't take them.
"And the second and third goals we conceded were similar to Leyton Orient's second goal at the weekend...and they made it impossible to get back into the game.
"It's so frustrating, because the game should have been over well before that. But when you don't take your chances, you always leave yourselves open to being punished at the other end.
"The start was obviously disappointing, but I actually thought the response after that was fine...that wasn't the issue.
"It's just both boxes again, and in terms of attacking wise, it's felt like that for a while. But in fairness, it's not just on the forwards, we had a big chance from a set-play as well. And when they don't go in, the mistakes obviously become more costly."
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