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Wigan Athletic beaten by Grimsby Town in final pre-season outing Wigan Athletic went down to a 2-0 defeat to Grimsby Town at Blundell Park in their final pre-season friendly before opening their competitive campaign against Barnsley in the Carabao Cup next weekend. An early goal from Jayden Sweeney and a late strike by Andy Cook condemned Gary Caldwell’s side to defeat in a game that offered few clear-cut chances. Grimsby made the brighter start and took the lead after 10 minutes. Charles Vernam drove low across the face of the goal, and Sweeney arrived to apply the finish from close range. Latics responded with Sonny Perkins attempting an ambitious chip, but Grimsby stopper Harvey Cartwright came out and reacted well to deal with the effort. Wigan were forced into an early change after 25 minutes when Chris Sze limped off in discomfort and was replaced by Harrison Rimmer. The visitors gradually grew into the contest and created their best openings before the break. Perkins forced a save with a low effort before the ball fell to Dara Costelloe, who couldn’t connect, and his attempt drifted wide. Grimsby took their one-goal advantage into half-time in what had been a low-key pre-season encounter. Wigan looked sharper after the restart and almost found an equaliser five minutes into the second half when Jensen Weir delivered an inviting cross, only for Costelloe to guide his effort over the crossbar. Perkins continued to cause problems and headed another opportunity on target as the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the game. Costelloe thought he had levelled matters just after the hour mark, heading home Morgan Fox’s cross, but celebrations were cut short by the assistant’s flag for offside. Caldwell’s side were then dealt another injury concern in the closing stages when Jon Mellish was forced off holding his calf, with trialist Tom McIntyre replacing him. Perkins came closest to rescuing a leveller four minutes from time, but Grimsby substitute goalkeeper Seb Auton produced a strong save to push his effort behind. The hosts wrapped up victory a minute from time when they broke quickly on the counter-attack and veteran striker Andy Cook found the bottom corner to seal a 2-0 win. Attention now turns to competitive action for Wigan, who begin their campaign away at Barnsley in the Carabao Cup first round next weekend. Grimsby: Harvey Cartwright, Maldini Kacurri, Jayden Sweeney, Kieran Green, Harvey Rodgers, Jamie Walker, Cian Doyle, Jaze Kabia, Justin Amaluzor, Cameron McJannet, Charles Vernam. Subs: Seb Auton, Joe Foulkes, Kristian Catchpole, Henry Brown, Edon Pruti, Elliot Smith, Lennon Peterson, Charlie Elliott, Tyler Pratt. Wigan: Joe Walsh, James Carragher, Morgan Fox, Jon Mellish, Max Power, Jensen Weir, Connor Barrett, Fraser Murray, Chris Sze, Dara Costelloe, Sonny Perkins. Subs: Matteo Spinelli, Sam Bolland, Kai Payne, Harrison Rimmer, Callum McManaman, Trialist. Attendance: 2,043