Reserves: Wigan Athletic 2 Manchester City 4

David Lowe took a strong squad to the Regional Athletics Arena that contained Gary Walsh, Damien Francis, Alan Mahon, Andreas Johansson and Liverpool's on-loan Neil Mellor. However a late brace from City’s Ashley Grimes ensured that all three points stayed in Manchester.

Johansson: Top goalscorer for the reserves with 5 goals

City were quick off the mark and began to dominate in the early stages. It took only 10 minutes for the latics defence to be broken when David Sommeil stole round the back and crossed to Ishmael Miller who headed in from three yards out.

However a courageous Wigan side fought back and began to force City into a series of mistakes. It was only a matter of time before latics drew level and on the half hour Andreas Johansson latched onto a through ball, out muscled Matt Mills and fired past City keeper Nicky Weaver for his 5th reserve goal of the season.

Six minutes later, Latics went ahead after Alan Mahon slipped a clever ball through to Neil Mellor who's shot hit the inside of the post and rolled in, leaving Wigan 2-1 up at the break.

Wigan began the second half were they had left off, dominating the game and looking dangerous. However the game was dramatically levelled when Miller's clever turn and run forced Latics centre back Kevin Lee into conceding a penalty, which Miller cooly slotted home past substitute Floyd Croll.

The match looked as if it was to end honours even until a cruel last ten minutes in which Wigan lost their grip on the game and all three points.

With seven minutes remaining City's Dickson Etuhu fed in fellow sub Ashley Grimes who hit a quality left footed shot from the edge of the box leaving Croll and Latics stunned.

And as Wigan went looking for a last ditch equaliser, City's Sommeil put through Grimes to complete his brace in the 89th minute. His deflected shot sealed the game and gave Steve Wigley's side their fifth win in a row.

Teams:

City:
Weaver, D.Mills (Logan 57), Thatcher, M.Mills, Bischoff; Sommeil, Flood, Laird (Etuhu 45), Haapala; Bermingham (Grimes 70), Miller.

Unused subs:
D'Laryea, Matthewson.

Wigan:
Walsh (Croll 46), Heywood, Waterhouse, Lee, Roberts; Francis, Mahon, Middleton, Owens; Mellor (Litchfield 52), Johansson (Hazeldine 60).

Unused subs:
Joyce, Montrose.

Goals:
City: Miller 9, (Pen) 60, Grimes 83, 89.

Wigan: Johansson 30, Mellor 36.

Bookings:
City: (None)
Wigan: Lee 15, Mellor 37

Attendance: 339