Teenager Harrison Bettoni scored the winning goal for League One side Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup third-round victory against Championship promotion-chasers Preston North End.
A match short on goalmouth action for long periods was settled with 15 minutes remaining when Bettoni cut inside from the right wing and his left-footed strike deflected into the net off Andrew Hughes.
The Latics missed a glorious opportunity to double their lead when Callum Wright cleared the crossbar with a penalty, following Pol Valentin’s foul on Maleace Asamoah inside the area.
But Wright’s failure from the spot did not cost his team, who ensured a winning return to Deepdale for Wigan’s ex-Preston boss Ryan Lowe.
Their success was not without late drama, though, as goalkeeper Sam Tickle made an exceptional save to keep out Alfie Devine’s glancing header and Brad Potts – who turned home the rebound – was judged to be offside.
Wigan, FA Cup winners in 2013, had required penalty shootouts to get past non-league Hemel Hempstead Town and fourth-tier Barrow in the first two rounds but Bettoni’s winner meant they avoided that eventuality against a North End team 35 places above them in the league pyramid.
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom made seven changes to the starting XI that beat Bristol City 2-0 on Sunday but his side, FA Cup quarter-finalists last season and currently fourth in the Championship, struggled for attacking rhythm throughout.
Milutin Osmajic, Michael Smith and Devine were sent on from the bench before Bettoni’s goal and the latter forced Tickle into his only two saves of note during the match.
Wigan went close to an opener twice in the first 15 minutes, with Wright guiding Joe Hungbo’s first-minute cross just past the far post and Dara Costelloe sending his effort wide after being put through on goal by Bettoni.
Once they had gone in front, substitute Asamoah provided a threat up front and he was denied a goal of his own by Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen after his pace had taken him away from the hosts’ defence.
Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:
“From the first minute, we weren’t playing how we want to play.
“I’m not talking about loose passes, a lack of energy or anything like that. I’m on about the things we constantly work on that I think give us an edge and we didn’t do it.
“Everything to do with organisation really, things we pride ourselves on, we weren’t as good as we normally are and it makes the game harder for yourself.
“One thing we’ve been pretty good as a group is reflecting properly, being really honest and then trying to put it right, so we’ll do that again.
“It’s just a frustrating performance. You get them, but you don’t want to have them. We all feel the same because they’ve been few and far between.”
Wigan boss Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Manchester:
“I’m pleased for our fans and pleased for the lads. The game plan worked a treat. I did enjoy it of course, coming back to your old club, performing to the levels that we did and limiting them to very few chances, if any.
“We had three big chances and should score more goals, [we had] the penalty obviously and a couple of chances in the first half against a fantastic team who are flying high in the Championship.
“We want to win every game as much as we can. We’re probably not going to win the FA Cup but it’s nice, with our supporters behind us in a local derby, to go through to the fourth round so I’m really pleased.”
