Curtis Nelson’s first-half header proved to be the only goal as Derby ran out worthy winners at Wigan in League One.
Young England goalkeeper Sam Tickle had already made a stunning save to deny James Collins when the Rams scored what proved to be the winner in the 19th minute.
Stephen Humphrys gave the ball away inside the Wigan box as he tried to clear his lines, and Tom Barkhuizen’s cross was nodded home by the unmarked Nelson.
Derby thought they had doubled their advantage shortly after when Craig Forsyth’s shot flew into the roof of the net, only for the official to award a free-kick for a foul on Baba Adeeko.
Tickle made another couple of saves either side of the break to deny Collins and Barkhuizen, who also fired into the side-netting.
Wigan’s only response was a volley from Humphrys that was met at point-blank range by Joe Wildsmith.
Not even a cameo off the bench from Callum McManaman could tip the balance back Wigan’s way, with the much-travelled forward firing into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Wigan
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Tickle
- 7ClareBooked at 36mins
- 4MorrisonBooked at 14mins
- 6Hughes
- 5S SessegnonSubstituted forShawat 72′minutes
- 26AdeekoBooked at 15minsSubstituted forAasgaardat 63′minutes
- 21Smith
- 42McHughSubstituted forMcManamanat 45′minutes
- 22SzeSubstituted forSmithat 45′minutes
- 19LangBooked at 45minsSubstituted forMagennisat 83′minutes
- 11Humphrys
Substitutes
- 2Watts
- 10Aasgaard
- 12Amos
- 16Shaw
- 18Smith
- 20McManaman
- 28Magennis
Derby
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Wildsmith
- 24Nyambe
- 35Nelson
- 6Cashin
- 3Forsyth
- 2WilsonSubstituted forFornahat 89′minutes
- 8Bird
- 4HourihaneBooked at 7minsSubstituted forBradleyat 89′minutesSubstituted forElderat 90+7′minutes
- 7BarkhuizenSubstituted forSibleyat 72′minutes
- 11Méndez-LaingBooked at 35mins
- 9CollinsBooked at 45mins
Substitutes
- 5Bradley
- 17Sibley
- 19John-Jules
- 20Elder
- 22Fornah
- 23Ward
- 31Vickers
Live Text
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Match ends, Wigan Athletic 0, Derby County 1.
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Second Half ends, Wigan Athletic 0, Derby County 1.
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Substitution, Derby County. Callum Elder replaces Sonny Bradley because of an injury.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Sonny Bradley (Derby County).
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Offside, Derby County. Tyrese Fornah is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Scott Smith (Wigan Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Sonny Bradley.
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Attempt blocked. Jonny Smith (Wigan Athletic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sean Clare.
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Liam Shaw (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Tyrese Fornah (Derby County).
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Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Tyrese Fornah.
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Substitution, Derby County. Tyrese Fornah replaces Kane Wilson.
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Substitution, Derby County. Sonny Bradley replaces Conor Hourihane.
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Jonny Smith (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Louie Sibley (Derby County).
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Attempt blocked. Thelo Aasgaard (Wigan Athletic) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum McManaman.
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Offside, Derby County. James Collins is caught offside.
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Foul by Callum McManaman (Wigan Athletic).
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James Collins (Derby County) wins a free kick on the right wing.
