Brad Burrowes twice came close to giving Wigan an early lead, heading onto the roof of the net once and forcing a good save from Joel Pereira another time.

At the other end, Joe Whitworth did well to keep out a Kyreece Lisbie effort, but Reading were being penned back in their own half.

On-loan Chelsea starlet Reggie Walsh should have opened the scoring for Wigan just before half-time only to send a left-foot shot inches over the top.

After Burrowes sent another shot just wide, Whitworth made his second good stop to deny Jamie Reid.

Burrowes tested Pereira again before Wigan took the lead in the 71st minute.

Substitute Christian Saydee’s cross was parried out by Pereira into the path of Hogan, who ended Wigan’s goal drought in the league of 446 minutes with a scuffed strike from close range.

Reading had one final chance to find the net, but the right hand of Whitworth diverted away Josh Stokes’ strike.