Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney labelled Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Reading an 'extremely difficult' day.

Charlie Savage and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan netted in each half of what was a dominating performance for the Royals, a first win of the season in front of soon-to-be-confirmed new owner Rob Couhig.

For the Latics, it proved a second successive league defeat without finding the net, having lost 1-0 at home to Charlton Athletic last week.

Speaking after the defeat, the former Celtic midfielder took full responsibility.

"It was extremely difficult," the Scot told the club channel. "The last half an hour at Barnsley and this game, I really haven’t liked a side of our team. There is a certain way we want to play with the ball, but it has to be the opposite without it and today we weren’t. It was far too easy to play through us at times, but that was my fault. What I’ve seen was on me.

"Reading have changed how they play; they get the ball in the box or forward really quickly and they are good at it with some really strong players in the air. Ideally, you defend it better, but it can happen.

"The second goal hurts me more. There’s a way to get beat- like Charlton with a long ball or a mistake or things can drop in the box. You can’t pick up the ball in our midfield, drive 30 yards and play a ball through our defensive line."

Wigan host newly promoted Crawley Town on Saturday, who have settled into third tier life comfortably with successive wins.