Report by John Patrick Heeley

Lee McCulloch's 4th goal of the season proved nothing more than a consolation as Wigan were sent to their first defeat in the league since the end of August. A dire opening half for Wigan saw Swindon stroll into a two goal lead before McCulloch narrowed the deficit just before the hour mark.

They say that all things must come to an end and if any fan of Wigan Athletic was realistic they couldn't honestly have believed that their team could continue winning every single league game until the end of the season.

Swindon Town, beaten by Paul Jewell's men only 4 weeks previously, became the first side since Colchester United, 5 months ago, to subject Wigan Athletic to a defeat in Division Two.

Jewell named the same starting eleven for the third consecutive game, a side that had picked up maximum points at promotion rivals Bristol City and more recently against Colchester at the JJB Stadium, with the only change to his squad being Scott Green named amongst the substitutes instead of the suspended Neil Roberts.

However his side couldn't extend their winning streak to 12 games or indeed their unbeaten run to 23 in the league as Swindon themselves continued their own undefeated run in 2003.

Wigan were swept aside in the opening 45 minutes and never looked threatening in the final third of the field as the home side pushed forward at every opportunity and looked threatening as they pressed on goal.

Swindon's first chance came as early as the 3rd minute when the impressive Danny Invincible went on a surging run down the left before teeing up strike partner Sam Parkin but the former Chelsea man sent his shot narrowly over the bar.

Invincible seemed to be having the game of his life and the Australian was a cause for concern for the Wigan defence throughout the game.

Andy Liddell saw his shot on the turn go wide in what was Wigan's first threat on goal just before the 20 minute mark and soon after Lee McCulloch fired over as Latics tried to get back into the game but moments later they found themselves trailing.

Swindon took the lead after 23 minutes following a half cleared free kick which was knocked back in to find DANNY INVINCIBLE and with more than a hint of offside the Aussie hit a powerful volley past his fellow countryman in the Wigan goal for his 4th league goal of the season.

The home side continued to pile the pressure on and Dean Marney, currently on loan from Tottenham, saw a header from a right wing cross go wide after finding himself in space in the Wigan area.

The home side's 2nd and what proved to be decisive goal arrived in the 34th minute and wasn't too dissimilar from the opener. Another poorly cleared free kick found it's way back into the danger zone, this time finding skipper ANDY GURNEY who turned on the ball before rattling home from just inside the area, giving Filan no chance.

I for one wouldn't have enjoyed being in the Wigan dressing room during the break but whatever Jewell said to his men seemed to have done the trick as they put in a more concerted effort in the second half.

One local radio pundit later reported that Wigan had hit them with everything bar the kitchen sink in the second half and that was certainly the case although the home side did go agonisingly close to adding a third.

Wigan came out with all guns blazing and could have been level within the opening few minutes with Andy Liddell first of all just failing to get on the end of a Jason De Vos ball from the right with the faintest of touches all that was needed to see it home.

Gary Teale then raced clear before sending his shot against the bar before Liddell headed narrowily wide with Griemink beaten on both occasions.

Filan needed to be at his best moments later when Invincible again bore down on goal leaving the Wigan defence in his wake but the Wigan keeper read the situation well and came of his line to smother the Swindon striker's effort.

The Latics following were given something to cheer about with just less than 10 minutes of the second half gone when a perfect Nicky Eaden cross from the right wing found LEE MCCULLOCH lurking unmarked at the back and the Scots' effort was in the back of the net as soon as it left his head.

Invincible found Alan Reeves in space in the area just after the hour mark but the former Wimbledon defender nodded wide and Stefani Miglioranzi should have done better when he dispossessed Nicky Eaden before racing clear on goal with only John Filan to beat but the Brazilian midfielder sent a weak shot wide of the mark.

Invincible was more than unfortunate not to have doubled his personal tally for the afternoon in the 75th minute when he saw a low shot crack the bottom of the near post, hit the prone John Filan's back before rolling along the line and out for a corner beyond the far upright in what seemed to take an eternity.

Lee McCulloch sent an effort over the woodwork and into the empty seating area behind the goal with around 10 minutes of normal time remaining and Wigan were then twice denied from close range as it seemed that every man and his dog were battling with the ball in the Swindon goalmouth.

Wigan had more than a right to be unhappy when they were denied a blatant penalty as the game entered stoppage time. Jason De Vos looked odds on to win the ball from a Gary Teale corner from the right but Matthew Heywood raised his arm and cleared the ball before the Wigan skipper could get his head to it. The referee later admitted he had seen the incident but didn't believe it was intentional!!

The final whistle brought to an end Wigan's fantastic run but the second half performance by Wigan will have given Paul Jewell something to alleviate the disappointment of his side's third league defeat of the campaign.

Results elsewhere meant that Wigan's lead had been cut to only 9 points with Crewe now lying in second spot but with a trip to Mansfield coming up on Tuesday evening that could be soon back to 12 and a trip to Gresty Road beckons for Paul Jewell's table toppers.