Goals from Nick Powell and Dan Burn saw Fleetwood Tow fall to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sky Bet League One leaders Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Two headers in the first half won the game for the Latics, but Fleetwood did improve and could have scored themselves, had it not been for good defending from the home side.
Head coach Uwe Rosler made two changes from the side that played Hereford in the FA Cup last weekend, with Lewie Coyle and Markus Schwabl replacing Wes Burns and Ashley Hunter in the starting line-up.
The league leaders had most of the early possession at the DW Stadium, and took just seven minutes to open the scoring as Powell headed home a cross from Lee Evans from the left-hand side.
Fleetwood reacted well to going a goal down and could have been level almost immediately as Ash Eastham headed a George Glendon corner against the crossbar.
The hosts were dominating the play but Fleetwood were becoming harder to break down in their own area. Kyle Dempsey did well to pounce on a goal-bound shot, as he cleared the ball to safety.
Town found their feet in the game when a good spell of possession led to a nice move in the Wigan half. Jack Sowerby should have perhaps equalised when he was put through on goal. With Devante Cole to his right, Sowerby opted to go it alone and lost possession in the Latics area. A great chance.
Fleetwood were punished for not taking their chances as Wigan doubled their lead with another header. After Dempsey committed a foul just outside the area, Burn jumped highest to connect to the free kick and make it 2-0. It was harsh on Town, who had improved after the first goal.
A cheeky attempted lob from Reece James had potential to put Wigan out of sight, but Alex Cairns dealt with the danger well with a good catch.
Just before the break, Schwabl came to close to pulling one back as a Town corner came to him on the edge of the area, but his shot was over the bar.
The break saw Jordy Hiwula replace Schwabl, and Town came out looking a better side. A good move from the off saw Cole fire just over Christian Walton’s bar from just inside the area.
Having tightened up, Town looked more impressive on the counter but were still searching for a way back into the game, with Rosler bringing on Harrison Biggins for his first ever Football League appearance.
A goalmouth scramble almost saw Wigan make it three but a host of bodies all tried and failed as Town blocked gallantly to usher the ball to safety.
A great save from Cairns then denied substitute Max Power after a pinpoint pass from Powell, before Cian Bolger cleared the danger with a last ditch interception on the rebound.
In stoppage time, Glendon’s corner almost went all the way in, but Walton palmed it away in the last second, before up the other end Cairns was drawn into a good save from Ivan Toney in what was the last action of a disappointing afternoon for the Cod Army.
Wigan XI: Walton (GK), Byrne, Morsy ©, Evans, Grigg (Massey), Jacobs, Dunkley, Powell (Toney), James, Colclough (Power).
Subs not used: Sarkic (GK), Elder, Bruce, Roberts.
Fleetwood XI: Cairns (GK), Coyle, Bell, Eastham, Pond ©, Dempsey (Biggins), Bolger, Glendon, Schwabl (Hiwula), Sowerby (Hunter), Cole.
Subs not used: Neal (GK), Burns, Maguire, Cargill.
Attendance: 8,979 (309)
Referee: A Haines