WIGAN ATHLETIC RESERVES 0
BLACKBURN ROVERS RESERVES 3
Rigters 23, 45+2
Linganzi 80

Graham Barrow's team put up a brave fight against an experienced Blackburn Rovers side, featuring the likes of Vince Grella and Yildiray Basturk.
The visitors enjoyed good possession during the first-half, with Grella stringing the team together and moving them forward with pace.

The deadlock was broken midway through the half when Maceo Rigters headed home from close range after finding a yards of space in the area.

Latics picked themselves up and plugged away at the opposition, finding themselves in some dangerous positions going forward, but just unable to work a clear chance on goal.

Their frustration was increased seconds before half-time when Rigters got his, and Rovers', second of the game, breaking free of the back-line and firing into the bottom left corner.

It was a tough break for the defence who, despite being not used to playing alongside one another, looked good throughout the game. Jordan Mustoe and Daniel Redmond standing out in particular with their timed tackles and positive surges forward.

The second-half saw Latics come out and fight back into the game, looking a lot more positive and moving the ball round comfortably.

But ten minutes before the end Amine Linganzi rounded things of, playing a neat one-two with Rigters on the edge of the area and slotting home comfortably to make it 3-0.

A tough night for Latics, but they can take positives from their composed performance against an experienced Rovers team.

Latics: Nicholls; Morris, Meace, Mustoe, Redmond; Routledge (Breeze, 88), Holt; Kupisz, McManaman, Bouaouzan (Rugg, 55); Cywka

Subs: Williams, Mayer, Jukes