Wigan Athletic 1 Leeds United 2: Wigan boss Cook quick to acknowledge United's quality

His side was missing the first-choice attacking quartet of Nick Powell, Gavin Massey, Michael Jacobs and Will Grigg, and the Wigan boss stated: “Leeds are an excellent side, let’s make no bones about that.

“We worked very hard in our pursuit of getting a result. But to lose such a key goal so soon in the second half has had a massive influence on the game.

“And you’d probably say it was a deserved victory over the 90 minutes.

“Leeds had that little bit of quality which they showed at regular points in the game.

“We maybe didn’t have that little bit of quality, or confidence when we most needed it.”

Cook was left to wonder what may have happened had Wigan managed to hang on to their lead for longer than three minutes.

“We got off to a great start, and I don’t know how long it was before Leeds were level, but you have to hang on to those moments,” he added.

“We wanted to pursue Leeds and get after them in terms of how they play the game. They’re a very free-flowing, attacking team, and fair play to them.

“They play the way I think everyone would want to play the game. And I think they will go very close this year.”

Wigan travel to Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday.