Wigan Athletic 0-2 Luton Town: Cornick and Adebayo on target against struggling Latics

Harry Cornick caught Wigan's Steven Caulker in possession before firing Luton in front

Kolo Toure is still searching for his first win as Wigan manager as the Championship's bottom side fell to a home defeat by Luton.

The Latics went behind early on when Harry Cornick caught Steven Caulker in possession on the edge of his own box, before firing past Ben Amos.

Wigan improved as the half wore on and thought they had equalised after 25 minutes but Ashley Fletcher's header was ruled out for offside.

Luton got their second eight minutes into the second half when Elijah Adebayo finished off a flowing move for his third goal in as many games.

The win was Luton's second against Toure's side in the space of five days after they beat them in an FA Cup third-round replay, when Adebayo was also on target with a 98th-minute winner.

The visitors started on the front foot and Cornick went close with an early header from a corner which flashed wide.

But the striker was not to be denied shortly afterwards when he caught Caulker dawdling on the edge of the box, making the tackle before finding the net via a deflection to give the Hatters the lead.

It was almost two after 20 minutes but Adebayo failed to finish off a fine team move, sending his shot wide from a tight angle.

Kolo Toure is yet to taste victory as Wigan manager, with no wins in his first nine games in all competitions

Wigan thought they were back on level terms five minutes later when Charlie Hughes' cross was headed home by Fletcher, but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

The Latics kept going in their search for an equaliser, with Max Power's dangerous drilled shot turned behind, before Fletcher sent an effort over the bar.

Luton went close to doubling their lead just before the break but Gabriel Osho could not quite get on the end of Dan Potts' header across goal.

They did not have to wait long to stretch their lead after the restart when a swift break upfield was finished expertly by Adebayo into the corner.

Wigan struggled to create any meaningful chances in way of a response and the visitors almost made it three when Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu's clever dummy gave substitute Alfie Doughty space to shoot, but his effort did not trouble Amos.

Bottom-of-the-table Wigan are now winless in seven league games, with their last victory coming before the World Cup break, while Luton move up two places to seventh, only outside of the play-off spots on goal difference.

Wigan boss Kolo Toure:

"We conceded another cheap goal early on and, when that is the case, it is very difficult for you. After the first 20 minutes, I thought things got better. We were putting them under pressure, but then we conceded another cheap goal. We have to be more ruthless in both boxes.

"We did manage to score a good goal, but unfortunately it was disallowed for offside. I don't know if it was offside, it was very close, but that is the way things are going for us.

"The boys are continuing to give me everything, that is never in doubt. But individual errors are costing us any chance in games."

Luton manager Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"It was a really good response after losing a week ago today after being 2-0 up. It did hurt us. The first goal in any game is really key and the second one, if you get it, makes it a little more comfortable although I never felt fully comfortable today.

"They put us under a lot of pressure and it was difficult to defend the long balls. I was delighted with the timing of the goals and thought they were really well-worked goals as well.

"The second goal was a great counter attack and the perfect weight of pass made the finish so much easier and he took it very well. It shows that we can come to difficult places and not only compete but win. I felt we limited them to very little and I'm delighted with how we defended."