OLDHAM ATHLETIC 2, WIGAN ATHLETIC 1
New manager Stephen Robinson celebrated his first Oldham Athletic victory at the seventh attempt.
Latics finally got their season up and running with a win against Wigan Athletic in the first round of the EFL Cup.
After six straight defeats in friendlies and their opening league game, Latics pulled off the unexpected with a triumph against Championship club Wigan Athletic in front of a disappointing crowd of 2,554.
Ryan Flynn and Josh Law were Latics’ goalscorers, though they were given a helping hand when Wigan were reduced to 10 men at the end of the opening period when Jake Buxton was sent off for a bad challenge on Marc Klok.
In the absence of loanee Billy McKay who could not play against his parent club, Robinson opted for an extra man in midfield.
There was a full debut for first-year professional Kallum Mantack and first start for Dutchman Marc Klok and first start for Josh Law.
The injured Jamie Reckford, Ollie Banks and McKay were the three players to drop out.
Latis made a bright start and went ahead after 17 minutes when Flynn picked up the ball in midfield and broke forward before firing home a fine individual effort.
Wigan could have quickly equalised when Ryan Colclough forced a save from goalkeeper Connor Ripley while last-ditch defending from Peter Clarke denied Jordan Flores a goal.
Just after the half hour mark, Wigan were level through striker Northern Ireland international Will Grigg who showed he was on fire.
Flores’ corner was not cleared properly and Grigg volleyed home from close range to equalise for the Championship side.
Wigan almost took the lead minutes later as Max Power took aim from 25 yards but Ripley saved well.
Buxton’s nasty challenge on Klok earned him a straight red and Wigan found themselves a man down going into the break.
Latics tried to make their extra man count and Klok’s free kick early in the second half went inches over the crossbar.
The visitors could have taken the lead minutes later, however, as Colclough raced through on goal but he shot wide under pressure from Ripley.
Striker Lee Erwin went close, but his deflected shot was kept out by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
The Leeds United loanee had a great opportunity to put Latics ahead for the second time in the game but headed straight at the goalkeeper from eight yards.
It was all Oldham with Flynn forcing a smart save from the Wigan keeper.
They were rewarded after 83 minutes with a winning goal as Law played a return pass with Flynn and continued his run into the box before firing low past Jaaskelainen to seal victory.
Latics (4-5-1): Ripley; Law, Burgess, Clarke, Wilson; Mantack (Croft 46), Fane, Green, Flynn, Klok (Banks 61); Erwin (Cassidy 87). Subs (not used): Kettings, Edmundson, Osei, McLaughlin.