Reserves: Newcastle United 2 Latics 1

The result means Latics are still bottom of the Northern Premier Reserve League, but are only two points behind Bolton, who play away at Newcastle next week.

Injury woe for Taylor as he breaks his leg

Latics first team game against Aston Villa on Tuesday meant Reserve coach David Lowe fielded a young team against a Newcastle side who have yet to lose at home this season.

Newcastle started the game well and within 8 minutes they had hit the woodwork twice. Firstly James Troisi fired a shot across latics keeper Gary Walsh only for the ball to rebound off his far post. Then 5 minutes later Carl Finnigan drilled in a low shot that cannoned off the near post.

Wigan soon took advantage and 20 minutes in full back Ryan Taylor flicked the ball over his marker to strike a superb 25 yard volley past Toon keeper Tony Caig sending Latics ahead into the break.

Then came devastation in the Wigan ranks as Ryan Taylor went down with a suspected broken leg 69 minutes in. He was quickly substituted and sent to a nearby hospital to have an operation.

Latics reacted well with Newcastle keeper Tony Caig being forced to make some vital saves from Lewis Montrose after 70 minutes and from Michael Hazeldine 2 minutes later.

However more bad news was to come as Newcastle took the lead 74 minutes in. Alan O'Brien's cross was claimed by Gary Walsh who then fumbled the ball into the path of striker Craig Finnigan who tapped in for his and Newcastle's second, ensuring the victory.

Ryan Taylor's injury was on everyone's minds after the game and Paul Jewell praised the defender: "Ryan has worked so hard to come back and i know he'll have the desire to bounce back again."

Whilst Wigan Athletic head Physiotherapist Alan Tomlinson shed some light on the severity of the break: "It's broken just above the ankle but i am confident Ryan can make a full recovery."

The reserves' play their last game of the season on the 24th April away to Blackburn Rovers.

Teams:

Newcastle: Caig, Baxter, Farman, Atkin, Huntington, Gate, Brittain (Marshall 83), Pattison, Finnigan, Troisi (Smylie 60), O'Brien.

Unused subs: Cave, Terrell, Cook.

Wigan: Walsh, Wright, Waterhouse (Hampson 58), Heywood, Pearson (Field 9), Montrose, Taylor (Maloney 69), Stephan, Hazeldine, Connolly, Owens.

Unused subs: McCaughtry, Saunders.

Goals:

Newcastle: Finnigan 55, 74

Wigan: Taylor 20

Referee: Dave Birkett.

Attendance: 477