Chris Hutchings will feel his side should have come away from Berkshire with something for their efforts and even all three points but a last minute James Harper goal, the midfielder's first since mid-December, sent Latics back up the M40 with jack.

Reading started the game the brighter and could have had the game wrapped up by half time with fit again Kevin Doyle narrowly missing the target in the 9th minute when his effort flashed across goal and past the far post after the Irishman had left Grangvist in his tracks.

Then Liam Rosenior, making his home debut following his summer move from Fulham, came close but was denied by a brilliant one-handed save from Chris Kirkland after the 23-year-old beat the offside trap to race clear on goal.

Three minutes later and it was Andreas Granqvist's turn to thwart the home side, heading clear a Dave Kitson flick on from a flag kick as it headed for the top corner and Michael Duberry then headed wide from the resulting corner after rising above Marucs Bent at the far post.

Moments later Granqvist was called upon again, the big Swede cutting out the danger after Kitson and Harper had combined to put Doyle in play.

However Wigan found themselves behind just before the half hour mark and quite simply Chris Kirkland will have to hold his hands up for this one after spilling a relatively tame Doyle effort allowing Dave Kitson to pounce and prod home from close range.

Latics believed they had won a penalty decision moments after the restart following Jason Koumas' upending by Ivar Ingimarsson. Hampshire official Keith Stroud initially pointed to the spot but then reversed his decision after consulting with his assistant who insisted that the incident had taken place just outside of the area - TV replays proved him right.

Ingimarsson found himself booked for the infringement and Wigan awarded a free kick on the edge of the box which Koumas cracked against the underside of the bar in what was a let off for Steve Coppell's side.

The second half saw a revitalised Wigan side out on the pitch and it wasn't long before they were back on level terms with Jason Koumas' corner finding Marcus Bent and the on loan striker buried the ball into the back of the net leaving the Reading keeper with no chance of getting anywhere near it.

Bent had a chance to double his Wigan tally as the game approached the hour mark but found Hahnemann equal to the task, the big American getting down to push the ball away

With the clock ticking down Wigan had two excellent chances to steal the game and with it their first win at the Madejski since October 1999. Marcus Bent found himself through on goal courtesy of substitute Julius Agahowa, on for the tiring Sibierski, but just has he prepared to shoot former Chelsea and Leeds defender Michael Duberry put in a perfectly time tackle to put behind for a corner kick.

Agahowa was then involved in one of the games more controversial moments after appearing to be clipped by Hahnemann who had charged out of his area when the Nigerian striker broke clear of the home defence.

However Agahowa stumbled to his feet rather than go down but had already lost his composure and sight of goal, the ball eventually half cleared and Michael Brown imposed his presence before firing into the stands from 25 yards out.

Latics were left heartbroken when up stepped James Harper to tuck the ball home after great work by Dave Kitson, reminding the Wigan fans of how painful this game can be with memories of Nicky Forster's late, late winner in the play-offs at the same arena just over six years ago.

However their was still time for Wigan to press for a share of the spoils and as they pushed for an equaliser Titus Bramble found himself tangling with Hahnemann behind the Reading goal as he attempted to quickly collect the ball after it had gone for a Wigan corner - both players were cautioned after the referee had restored order.

Wigan now face a tough couple of weeks with Liverpool set to visit the JJB Stadium next Saturday followed by the short trip to Old Trafford to face champions Manchester United the following weekend - Latics could really have done with the three points against Reading!

By John Heeley (www.cockneylatic.co.uk)