Ryan Hardie, John McAtee and David Watson were all on target as the Whites won an eventful mini-derby to stay top of the table, writes Pete Oliver.
First-team boss Steven Schumacher – in attendance with his full coaching staff at the Brick Community Stadium – gave the trio some match minutes as over-age players, along with winger Jayden Nelson.
Nelson’s afternoon unfortunately lasted just half an hour before succumbing to injury but the others made the most of the run-out with first-half goals to help Julian Darby’s side to a seventh win in eight games to remain at the head of the Professional Development League.
Despite the advantage in seniority it wasn’t one-way traffic as Wigan pulled a goal back through Joe Gilbertson’s fine strike just before the break and goalkeeper David Harrington – also given some game time – was sent off with an hour gone.
That left the Whites to negotiate the final half-hour with 10 men which they did, helped by one excellent save from substitute Luke Lomax, to hand Wigan a third defeat of the season and earn the local honours.
Harrington’s fluctuating afternoon began with a fine save to deny Gilbertson before being booked for a foul outside his penalty area which would later prove costly.
Wanderers – beaten for the only time so far in their previous league game – didn’t help their cause by giving the ball away too readily in the opening exchanges.
But the Whites did carry a threat on the break and McAtee made it 1-0 when his deflected effort found the top corner with a quarter of an hour gone.
Fin Wilkinson then fired over the top following a typical burst forward from the full-back before McAtee was denied a second by Tom Watson’s fine save after Watson and Wilkinson had opened up the Latics’ left side.
With Max Lott again looking lively that had been a fruitful avenue for Dalby’s men but when the second goal came it arrived via the other wing. A superb ball from Emile Oliver released Hardie and despite a tight angle he drilled a shot below Watson to make it 2-0.
Watson had been as industrious as ever and deservedly got on the scoresheet himself with a well-worked third goal three minutes before half-time. McAtee’s lovely pass freed Lott and the winger – on the bench at Wolves a week ago – pulled the ball back perfectly for Watson to sweep home.
Gilbertson’s brilliant long-range strike moments later trimmed the lead at the break and when Harrington clashed with Wigan striker Charlie Hughes to receive a second caution and his marching orders, Wanderers still had work to do.
But Hardie, Oliver and McAtee all went close to adding to the lead for the Whites and the league leaders had enough in hand to collect another three points to keep motoring on in their title challenge before the visit of Huddersfield Town next Tuesday.
Wanderers: Harrington; Wilkinson, Lamb (Mawditt 70), Paye, Oliver; Lott, Leigh (Kirkpatrick 70), Watson, Nelson (Lewis 30 replaced by Lomax 61); McAtee, Hardie (Lawrence 70). Substitutes: Irwin, Rice.
Sent off: Harrington
Wigan: Watson; Rimmer, Knott, Spelman, Bolland; Cavanagh, Miller, Gilbertson, Trialist (Igiehon HT); Hughes (Simms 66), Greenhalgh (Tobin 77). Substitutes: Taylor, Reci, Wesseldine.
Referee: George Warren