England Under-20s star Charlie Hughes popped up with a winner after 20 minutes of second-half stoppage-time as Wigan edged a 1-0 League One victory over Wycombe in a match otherwise devoid of much excitement or entertainment.
Centre-back Hughes had earlier tried his luck from his own half – which never threatened to trouble Max Stryjek – and that was about it for the first half.
The game was in desperate need of something to shake it into life and it arrived 10 minutes after the restart – in slapstick fashion.
Referee Adam Herczeg was caught in a midfield sandwich and – after a delay lasting the best part of 20 minutes, while a qualified official was found in the crowd – he was replaced in the middle by fourth official Steven Rushton.
Immediately after the restart, Wycombe thought they had scored, when Luke Leahy’s shot deflected in off Kieran Sadlier, with a massive deflection doing for Sam Tickle.
However, the flag was straight up on the near side for offside.
An unbelievable defence-splitting pass from Hughes then released Steven Sessegnon, just inside the box, who dragged his shot just wide.
With 20 minutes of added time, there was time for Wycombe to fashion a big opportunity of their own, when a long ball was flicked on and Richard Kone’s shot needed a brilliant save from Tickle to keep it out – before Hughes’ last-gasp heroics.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Wigan
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Tickle
- 29GoodeSubstituted forMorrisonat 85′minutesBooked at 90mins
- 6Hughes
- 24Chambers
- 5S SessegnonSubstituted forMcManamanat 86′minutes
- 8SmithBooked at 90mins
- 26AdeekoSubstituted forShawat 85′minutes
- 14JonesBooked at 45mins
- 11HumphrysSubstituted forSmithat 90+2′minutes
- 9WykeSubstituted forMagennisat 90+2′minutes
- 10Aasgaard
Substitutes
- 4Morrison
- 12Amos
- 15Kerr
- 16Shaw
- 18Smith
- 20McManaman
- 28Magennis
Wycombe
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Stryjek
- 2GrimmerBooked at 90mins
- 17Low
- 6Tafazolli
- 10Leahy
- 7Wheeler
- 19PottsSubstituted forForinoat 90+18′minutes
- 12McClearySubstituted forCampbellat 52′minutes
- 20Taylor
- 23SadlierSubstituted forKoduaat 90+3′minutes
- 9VokesSubstituted forKoneat 90+2′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Jacobson
- 5Forino
- 11Campbell
- 24Kone
- 25Ravizzoli
- 26McCarthy
- 28Kodua
- Referee:
- Adam Herczeg
- Attendance:
- 7,774
Live Text
-
Match ends, Wigan Athletic 1, Wycombe Wanderers 0.
-
Second Half ends, Wigan Athletic 1, Wycombe Wanderers 0.
-
Attempt missed. Richard Kone (Wycombe Wanderers) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Chris Forino.
-
Attempt missed. Chris Forino (Wycombe Wanderers) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Gideon Kodua with a cross.
-
Goal! Wigan Athletic 1, Wycombe Wanderers 0. Charlie Hughes (Wigan Athletic) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Callum McManaman with a cross following a set piece situation.
-
Jack Grimmer (Wycombe Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
-
Thelo Aasgaard (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
-
Foul by Jack Grimmer (Wycombe Wanderers).
-
Substitution, Wycombe Wanderers. Chris Forino replaces Freddie Potts.
-
Sam Tickle (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by David Wheeler (Wycombe Wanderers).
-
Matt Smith (Wigan Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
-
Foul by Matt Smith (Wigan Athletic).
-
Chem Campbell (Wycombe Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Ryan Tafazolli.
-
Attempt blocked. Matt Smith (Wigan Athletic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jonny Smith.
-
Attempt missed. Richard Kone (Wycombe Wanderers) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right following a set piece situation.
-
Attempt saved. Richard Kone (Wycombe Wanderers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
-
Liam Morrison (Wigan Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
-
Foul by Liam Morrison (Wigan Athletic).