Latics Late, Late Show

Wigan Athletic saw off local rivals Preston North End in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup with a late, late show as Jordi Gomez and Charles N`Zogbia found the back of the net for the Latics.

A pretty nondescript first half from the Latics saw Preston take the lead on 26 minutes when a Keith Treacy free kick beat Ali Al-Habsi at his near post, Latics didn`t respond, their pattern of play was too narrow and the midfield was so crowded that players bumped into each other.

Preston almost made it 2-0 when Paul Coutts hit the post following a good move by the Championship club, the half time whistle brought some frustrated boos from a section of the home fans whilst the away supporters were jubilant.

Martinez made a significant change for the start of the second half, replacing an ineffective James McArthur with Charles N`Zogbia and the Frenchman made an immediate impact making a couple of dazzling runs in the first five minutes.

Latics pressed for the equaliser and midway through the second half they looked like they got it when Ben Watson played a delightful 1-2 with Mauro Boselli, bursting into the penalty box the midfielder hammered his shot goalward only for Preston keeper Andy Lonergan to make a spectacular one handed save.

The Latics were now dominating the game and pressing for the leveller but Preston almost doubled their lead when they broke and Paul Coutts found himself in the clear, with just Al-Habsi to beat the Preston striker was thwarted once again by the woodwork when his powerful drive crashed against the bar.

On 87 minutes Latics finally got the goal they`d been threatening when the ball was pinged across the Preston box to Jordi Gomez coming in field on the right, the Spaniard smashed a low left foot shot into the back of the net beating Lonergan at his near post from 18 yards.

The game was now end to end as both sides looked to avoid extra time, Preston forced a corner in the 92 minute but Latics cleared the ball to N`Zogbia who broke with pace and carried possession up to the edge of the Preston box, he knocked the ball inside to the supporting James McCarthy who drew the keeper and then passed back to N`Zogbia, the Frenchman had a simple tap in to win the game for the Latics.

Charles N'Zogbia, made all the difference with his second half performance and it did appear that Charlie kissed his Latics badge when he scored. Al Habsi; Alcaraz, Figueroa, S. Caldwell, Stam; Thomas (McCarthy 71), McArthur (N'Zogbia 45), Watson, Gomez; Boselli, Di Santo

Subs: Kirkland; Gohouri, Moses, Diame, De Ridder Lonergan; St. Ledger, W. Brown, Gray, B. Jones; Treacy (Parry 53), Mayor, Coutts, Barton, Russell; C. Brown (Parkin 53)

Subs: Arestidou; Morgan, Hayes, McLaughlin, Wright

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