Josh Sheehan’s stunning late winner made it a third straight Sky Bet League One derby day delight for Wanderers in a 1-0 victory away at Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium.
The decisive moment came through the right boot of Sheehan late in the second-half, in front of 4,600 travelling Wanderers supporters to claim the bragging rights in a third Greater Manchester derby in a row against Ryan Lowe’s Latics and return to winning ways in perfect fashion.
Head Coach Steven Schumacher handed a debut to new signing Jack Bonham in goal, whilst Jordi Osei-Tutu, George Johnston, Max Conway, Amario Cozier-Duberry and Mason Burstow came back into the starting line-up.
Both teams traded chances early on, with Wigan defender James Carragher heading Harrison Bettoni’s free-kick wide of the post under pressure from Dalby.
Wanderers immediately attacked, going close on eight minutes when Xavier Simons’ low effort from the edge of the box pushed away by goalkeeper Sam Tickle but only out to Burstow, who scuffed his rebound effort wide.
Seven minutes later, the Whites had another opening at goal. Cozier-Duberry cut inside on the right to deliver an enticing cross towards the back post, which was met by Conway, however his downward header was kept out by Tickle’s sprawling stop.
Midway through the half, Callum Wright saw his left-footed strike blocked by the Wanderers defence having been teed up following Bettoni’s pass.
Just beyond the half-hour, Sheehan struck over the crossbar from 25-yards prior to Cozier-Duberry driving into the box from the right, but his effort was charged down by Danny Fox in a positive opening half for Wanderers.
Within a minute of play resuming for the second-half, Bonham’s punt up field was won in a challenge by Dalby, moving play onto Cozier-Duberry to set up Simons who sliced a shot high over Tickle’s crossbar.
A well-worked passing move involving Conway and Osei-Tutu set Cozier-Duberry free down the right, however after beating his man and crossing from the byline, Wigan scrambled the ball to safety.
On the hour, Burstow turned Fox on the right side of the box and crossed into a dangerous area which Dalby turned just over the crossbar with a first-time effort.
At the other end, Bettoni’s shot from distance was thwarted by Chris Forino’s foot before Joseph Hungbo dragged an attempt wide of Bonham’s left post.
In the closing 20 minutes, Sheehan’s free-kick from the right saw Forino climb highest to meet the set-piece and head goalwards, with the ball landing on the roof of Tickle’s net.
Wanderers went close once again. Dalby stooped low, getting the better of Carragher to guide his header from Conway’s pinpoint cross which Tickle did well to get down to his right and keep out.
Schumacher made his first substitutions on the afternoon after 74 minutes, with Kyle Dempsey and John McAtee replacing Simons and Burstow.
Bettoni steered Matt Smith’s cross just past Bonham’s bottom right-post, as Wanderers survived a scare.
Wanderers took a deserved lead with 83 minutes played through Sheehan’s outstanding strike.
Smith’s defensive header dropped to the Welsh midfielder on the edge of the box, who thumped his right-footed strike through a crowd of players to swerve high beyond Tickle, sparking jubilant scenes from the away end.
Wanderers nearly added a second three minutes later, when Sheehan’s corner was flicked on by Dalby and went just inches wide.
The Whites navigated the four minutes of additional time to secure the three points on derby day, roared on by magnificent away support.
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Wanderers: Bonham, Osei-Tutu, Toal ©, Forino, Johnston, Conway, Simons (Dempsey 74), Sheehan, Cozier-Duberry, Burstow (McAtee 74), Dalby
Subs not used: Harrington, Christie, Erhahon, Morley, Gale