Kolo Toure is still looking for his first win as Wigan manager as the Championship’s bottom side fell to a home defeat to Luton.
The Latics fell behind early on when Harry Cornick caught Steven Caulker in possession on the edge of his own box, before shooting past Ben Amos.
Wigan improved as the half progressed and thought they had equalized 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 completed a smooth 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 beating them in a replay of the FA Cup third round, 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 that flashed wide.
But the striker was not denied soon after when he caught Caulker loitering around the edge of the box, making the tackle before finding the net via a deflection to put the Hatters ahead.
It was almost two after 20 minutes but Adebayo failed to complete a nice team move, sending his shot wide from a tight angle.
Wigan thought they were back level five minutes later when Charlie Hughes’ cross was headed home by Fletcher, but his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.
The Latics continued their search for an equaliser, with Max Power’s dangerous drilled shot shot behind, before Fletcher sent an effort over the bar.
Luton nearly doubled their lead just before the break, but Gabriel Osho couldn’t quite grab the end of Dan Potts’ header into goal.
They didn’t have to wait long to extend their lead after the restart when a quick break was expertly finished by Adebayo in the corner.
Wigan struggled to create meaningful chances in response and the visitors nearly reached third when Pelly’s clever dummy Ruddock Mpanzu gave substitute Alfie Doughty space to shoot but his efforts failed. not bothered Amos.
Bottom of the table, Wigan are now winless in seven league games, their last victory coming before the World Cup break, while Luton move up two places to seventh, only outside the play-offs on goal difference .
Wigan boss Kolo Toure:
“We conceded another cheap goal at the start and when it does it’s very difficult for you. After the first 20 minutes I thought things had improved. We put them under pressure, but then we conceded another cheap goal. We need to be more ruthless in both boxes.
“We managed 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’s how it turned out. pass for us.
“The boys keep giving me their all, there’s no doubt about that. But individual mistakes cost us any chance in games.”
Luton manager Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio:
“It was a very good response after losing a week ago today after leading 2-0. It hurt us. The first goal in any game is really essential and the second, if you get it, makes it a bit more comfortable, although I never felt fully comfortable today.
“They put a lot of pressure on us 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 too.
“The second goal was a great counter-attack and the perfect weight of the pass made it so much easier to finish and he took it very well. It shows we can get to tough places and not just compete but win. I felt we limited them to very few and I’m delighted with the way we defended.”
