Walsall 1-2 Wigan Athletic

Conor McAleny also scored in Wigan's recent 2-0 win at Sheffield United

Wigan Athletic climbed into the League One automatic promotion places as substitute Yanic Wildschut's injury-time goal gave them victory at Walsall.

In a first half with more bookings than shots on target, Conor McAleny struck from 25 yards to put the Latics ahead.

Wigan threatened a second before Sam Mantom thumped in the equaliser after a Jason Demetriou free-kick was blocked.

There were chances at both ends before Wildschut cut inside to win it, beating keeper Neil Etheridge at his near post.

Wigan rise to second in the table after extending their unbeaten run to 11 games, while the Saddlers slip a place to fourth after a second successive home defeat.

Sean O'Driscoll's side, who have won just once in six matches, in all competitions, are still without a home win in 2016.

Walsall boss Sean O'Driscoll told BBC WM 95.6:

"We struggled first half to get any rhythm. Early on, you realised that Wigan's game plan was to stop the full-backs. You've got to give them some credit.

"Our game plan all week was to do certain things and that went out the window early on. We got a little frustrated with each other, and it was a bit like a chess match first half.

"We sort of cancelled each other out. But a worldie goal got them in front which you can't really legislate for."

Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell told BBC Radio Manchester:

"If we'd put the game to bed in the first half, it would have been a lot easier for everyone.

"We never know when we're down or when we're beat - we keep coming back. At 1-1, we made attacking subs. We had an intent to go and win.

"I thought in terms of the whole 90 minutes, we were the better team and deserved to win."