Last updated on .From the section Championship

Yakou Meite had not scored in 13 games since a run of six goals in five games came to end in November

Paul Cook says his Wigan Athletic side's dramatic late defeat at the hands of fellow Championship strugglers Reading was "probably as low" as he has ever felt as a manager.

The Royals trailed 2-1 in the 89th minute at the Madejski Stadium, but Mo Barrow's 25-yard shot into the bottom-right corner and Yakou Meite's back-post finish seven minutes into injury-time secured a remarkable win.

Wigan, who had also surrendered a 1-0 lead only to lose against Derby in midweek, led through Nick Powell and, although John Swift levelled, Joe Garner made it 2-1.

But Reading's late surge ensured the Latics dropped below Reading on goal difference and finished the day three points clear of the relegation zone.

A distraught Cook told BBC Radio Manchester: "What can I say? How can you best describe it? You just don't feel good.

"Going towards the 90th minute, we looked all but home. All we've got to do is see the game out and then travel back with a great result.

"I thought we were full value to get something out of the game.

"We never sat off Reading. We went after them. I think even Reading fans will say that Wigan were hard done by."

Powell, returning to the Latics line-up after illness, gave the visitors a 20th-minute lead when he poked in a low Michael Jacobs cross from the left.

Swift equalised with a 20-yard free-kick only for the visitors to lead again thanks to Garner, who diverted in an acrobatic effort from Powell,

The visitors were in the ascendancy in a sustained period of early second-half pressure, during which Gavin Massey had a first-time drive well saved by Emiliano Martinez and Chey Dunkley shot wide after the ball dropped kindly for him in the area following a corner.

Martinez, whose poor distribution had contributed to Wigan's second goal, then redeemed himself with a spectacular save from Nick Powell's effort from inside the six-yard box to prevent the Latics from taking a 3-1 lead.

The save proved vital in paving the way for Reading's late show, which helped them climb above Wigan to 19th place.

Cook remains confident

Cook's side have lost half of their 36 league matches this season

Cook said he still remained confident of avoiding relegation despite their precarious position.

"If we replicate these type of performances, we won't have a problem in staying in this league," he said.

"I can't really turn my attentions to other games at the moment. This is all so fresh in the mind.

"You've got to be able to dissect it and digest it and then move on. It's just so tough to do that at the moment."

Reading manager Jose Gomes told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"After this result, I'm 10 years younger! I will live forever.

"The players deserved these points for the positive way they tried to play football. Our opponent just wanted to lose [waste] time from the beginning.

"I'm very happy and proud of the way the players gave their energy to the game. Sometimes I didn't like the way we played, but I don't know if it's possible for us to play another way.

"When Yakou (Meite) scored I ran towards him and got a yellow card. But football is passion."