JOSH Magennis' and Liam Morrison's first-half double salvo condemned Carlisle United to a 2-0 defeat against Wigan Athletic that kept them at the bottom of the League One table.

The Blues came into their final clash of 2023 at the DW Stadium against Shaun Maloney's Latics off the back of a 1-1 Boxing Day draw with Fleetwood Town which saw them slip to the bottom of the League One table.

In an attempt to reduce the five-point gap between Carlisle and the safety line Paul Simpson made one change to the side that started at Highbury Stadium with Ben Barclay being preferred to Taylor Charters.

It was the hosts who almost struck within the first five minutes when Thelo Aasgaard's corner was met by an unmarked Charlie Hughes at the back post, with the centre-back's header into the six-yard box diverted onto the Carlisle upright.

Following this early chance, it was the hosts that commanded the majority of possession and made it count on 16 minutes when Stephen Humphrys' forced Josh Emmanuel into a rash challenge in the Blues' 18-yard box, with Latics captain Magennis converting the subsequent spot-kick.

The hosts would continue to probe the Blues' defence, most notably through Humphrys and Clare on the flanks, however, Carlisle would get their first notable chance of the half when Emmanuel on the right-hand side wrapped a curling shot over Sam Tickle's goal.

Despite Carlisle seeming the grow into the game it was Wigan that struck decisively eight minutes before the interval, when Smith's corner was headed into the path of Liam Morrison who diverted the ball past Breeze and handed the Latics and 2-0 lead at the break. 

After the interval, Carlisle looked more up for the game and forced a diving stop from Tickle and Edmondson looked to pull one back. This was also followed by several attempted crosses.

Moments later, Armer would flash an effort from a low Robinson set piece just wide of Tickle's far post in what appeared to be the start of a promising Carlisle revival.

On 69 minutes, the Blues almost began this revival when Jack Robinson swung in an enticing set piece from the left which was headed agonisingly wide by substitute Joe Garner. 

Less than 10 minutes later, Wigan would have their first meaningful effort of the half, with sub-Charlie Wyke sending one just over Breeze's bar with the Carlisle shot-stopper at full stretch. 

The Blues would continue to probe as the game entered its final stages with several crosses and corners being floated in as Carlisle looked to fight back into the game, but in the end the damage done by Wigan's first-half double salvo proved to be irreparable and the Blues ended 2023 in defeat and bottom of League One.

CARLISLE UNITED: Gabe Breeze, Jack Armer, Owen Moxon, Sam Lavelle, Ryan Edmondson (Joe Garner - 62'), Alfie McCalmont (Dan Butterworth - 76'), Jack Robinson (Taylor Charters - 76'), Jon Mellish, Sean Maguire, Ben Barclay, Josh Emmanuel

SUBS: Tomas Holy, Jordan Gibson, Corey Whelan, Dylan McGeouch

WIGAN ATHLETIC: Sam Tickle, Liam Morrison, Steve Sessegnon, Charlie Hughes, Sean Clare (Kell Watts - 89'), Thelo Aasgaard (Baba Adeeko - 68'), Stephen Humphrys (Jordan Jones - 50'), Liam Shaw, Jonny Smith (Callum McManaman - 68'), Scott Smith, Josh Magennis (Charlie Wyke - 68')

SUBS: Ben Amos, Martial Godo