Stevenage put in a vastly improved performance from their Exeter slog to claim a point away to Wigan Athletic.

The 0-0 draw still lacked much in the way of the chances but this time the defensive performance was superb, as was they way they hunted in packs to contain an unorthodox home side.

And they will head home after another long away day with a little bit more pride.

One change was forced from their time in Devon, Charlie Goode's injury at Exeter City confirmed as a broken fibula.

But there were a total of five new faces in the starting line-up as manager Alex Revell tried to freshen up the troops.

In came Dan Butler, Dan Phillips, Dan Kemp, Louis Thompson and brother Nathan, as Lewis Freestone, Nick Freeman, Elliott List and Eli King joined Goode in coming out.

The biggest desire for Boro was to be better than they were in Exeter, at least better in execution of the basics.

Defensively the first 45 minutes was an example of the defence getting things more right than wrong.

They were having to deal with a unique Wigan formation.

Wingers Callum McManaman and Silko Thomas were often the furthest forward at times, yet both had boots marked with whitewash as they hugged the touchline.

What it did was either bring space in the middle for the multitude of runners, or left them unmarked to pick the ball up and cross.

It had Boro pulled from pillar to post but in general they were able to keep the Latics at arm's length, with Murphy Cooper not needed to make a save.

Wigan's possession was numerous though and had all come after a McManaman foul on Jordan Roberts had caused a few tempers to become frayed.

Before that though Stevenage had looked bright and looked like they had moved on from their bad day in Devon.

They also had arguably the one true chance of the half, a little more than two minutes in.

Harvey White's free-kick found Carl Piergianni unmarked and able to head the ball back into the middle.

Roberts helped it on and Jamie Reid got it to the right of the goal.

He hooked it back across goal and for a moment, after it ran beyond Sam Tickle, it looked destined for the net.

It rolled inches past the far post though.

Half-time would have brought some tactical tweaks from the visitors but not much would have been required. They were still very much in the game and still very much able to get a positive outcome.

The second half did have more of an attacking threat from Boro without too many actual attempts.

What was impressive was the way they kept their defensive shape while at the same time stepping up the press.

White had a free-kick deflected behind and when Butler hit another set-piece into the wall, White sent the follow-up wide.

At the other end Cooper was needed to push wide a Baba Adeeko shot that had nicked of Louis Thompson but the longer the game went on, the more the home fans voiced their frustrations.

The improvement from Saturday will be the key thing for Boro and the point will be gladly taken ahead of two home games.

Match details

Wigan Athletic (0) 0 Stevenage (0) 0

Stevenage: Cooper, Wildin, Butler, N.Thompson, Piergianni, Kemp, Roberts, White, Reid (Simpson 83), Phillips, L.Thompson.

Subs (not used): Bouzanis, Freeman, Freestone, List, King, Young.

Goals: 

Booked: Piergianni 17, L.Thompson 37, N.Thompson 66, White 90+2

 

Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Chambers (Carragher 46), Aimson, Weir (Aasgaard 57), Kerr, Adeeko, Sibbick, McManaman (Rankine 57), S.Smith (M.Smith 72), Taylor, Thomas (Olakigbe 57).

Subs (not used): Watson, Stones.

Goals: 

Booked: McManaman 15, S.Smith 58, Adeeko 87

 

Added time: 2+3

Referee:  Ben Toner (Lancashire)

Attendance: 7,419 (including 92 from Stevenage)