CHRISTMAS is coming, but there’s no festive spirit currently on show at Huddersfield Town.

A consistently inconsistent season continued at an unhappy Accu Stadium.

Those that were there to watch it anyway, with many electing to stay at home by the fireside, judging by the modest attendance of under 17,000.

Decent value for a first-half advantage given to them by Murray Wallace’s firm header from Lynden Gooch’s free-kick - his first league goal of his second spell at the club - Town lost their way alarmingly in the second period after Raphael Borges Rodrigues’ early leveller – following poor decision-making from Lee Nicholls - and it was the cue to a few bit of anger from disgruntled home punters.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: General view inside the stadium prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester City at Accu Stadium on September 24, 2025 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

placeholder image — HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: General view inside the stadium prior to the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester City at Accu Stadium on September 24, 2025 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

A chant decrying Lee Grant’s football style was a starter for ten. As Town continued to toil, the mood soured further.

Cries of ‘You don’t know what you are doing’ followed the decision to replace Alfie May and Leo Castledine in the final quarter. A chorus of ‘Sacked in the morning’ followed from Wigan punters and home followers joined in, damningly.

These are troubled times for Town and their under-pressure manager for sure. Five league matches without a win and counting.

Given their form, it was perhaps no surprise that Town were not free-flowing in the opening 45 minutes. Or that a breakthrough would come from a set-play either in the circumstances.

It was a good one in fairness, as Wallace bulleted home a downward header from a choice delivery from Lynden Gooch, one of four changes in the home line-up, on 33 minutes.

Gooch and in-form Terriers' man Castledine provided the vestiges of quality on show in the opening half from a home perspective.

Paired together for the first time at league level, Dion Charles and Alfie May huffed and puffed, but couldn't manufacture anything, even if their work ethic could not be faulted. Conspicuous by his absence in the Town squad was the fit Joe Taylor.

There was discernible edginess prevalent among home fans.

Town were far from picture-perfect and were sloppy in possession at times. But they were still the better of the two sides at least.

Wigan, by contrast, offered little in an attacking sense, with the hosts' opener putting the onus on them to up the ante.

Their sole chance arrived ahead of the break when Christian Saydee horribly miscued a volley after being picked out by Fraser Murray.

Town had the better opportunities. Castledine cut inside and saw his low shot parried by Sam Tickle, who also beat away Sean Roughan's drive.

He had no chance with Wallace's header, while he was called into work ahead of the break to tip over Ryan Ledson's rising drive.

The scoreline was important for the Terriers. Fortunately, Wigan did not prey on home supporters' nerves too much in the first period. Their manager Ryan Lowe sent his players out early ahead of the second half while also making an attacking change with Dara Costelloe coming on.

Within seven minutes, they were level after Raphael finished nicely, considerably helped along the way by an indecisive Nicholls.

Town were struggling to get going, with Wigan looking more forceful, perhaps cajoled by a few choice interval words from Lowe.

The hosts needed to respond. Low directed a header across goal following Gooch’s centre. It was not the precursor to anything better as moods darkened in the stands.

Raphael went close to his and Wigan’s second with his superb curler hitting the bar before Callum Wright fired over.

A derogatory - and pretty audible - chant was then directed towards Grant before Saydee fired into the side-netting. It was all Wigan.

Home changes would arrive and the mood got seriously ugly among home punters.

Town’s best second-half chance came when Radulovic's drive was parried by Tickle, pretty underemployed on the restart.

Tough times for Town. Tough times for Grant. The boos at the final whistle were hearty and forceful and the catcalls continued towards Grant after.

Huddersfield Town: Nicholls; Balker, Low, Wallace (Ashia 85), Gooch (Sorensen 71); Harness, Ledson (Kasumu 72), Roughan; Castledine (Wiles 78); May (Radulovic 71), Charles. Substitutes unused: Goodman, Roosken.

Wigan Athletic: Tickle; Aimson, Carragher, Fox; Raphael, Weir, Smith, Robinson (Costelloe HT); Murray, Wright; Saydee (Mullin 93). Substitutes unused: Savin, Sessegnon, Brenan, McManaman, Bettoni.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincs).