Report by John Patrick Heeley

Two slack pieces of defending at the JJB Stadium allowed First Division Wimbledon to progress through to the Third Round of the Worthington Cup.

Simon Haworth levelled on the hour after John Hartson had given the Dons a first minute lead but Marcus Gayle immediately put Wimbledon back in front.

Following last week's first leg at Selhurst Park expectations at Wigan were reasonably high for a place in the next round of the Worthington Cup but it wasn't to be as a depleted Wigan side struggled to control a much better organised Wigan outfit.

A John Hartson goal in the opening thirty seconds after stand-in keeper Derek Stillie hesitated over a cross allowing the Welshman to claim the ball and the lead after only 24 seconds of the game.

Wimbledon passed the ball well and probably had more of the possession but Wigan had a number of good chances to equalise in the first half. None better than from man-of-the-mathc Kevin Nicholls who blasted a free kick form 5 yards outside the area straight between the wall bringing a magnificent save from Davis in the Wimbledon goal.

SImon Haworth equalised just after the hour mark but the scoreline didn't stay level that long as Wimbledon went straight back upfield with Jason Euell putting the ball through to Marcus Gayle whose pace won him the edge on the Wigan defence and proceeded to round Derek Stillie in the Wigan goal and slot home for what was to prove the decisive goal.

Wigan had the better of the chances from then on but it was not to be as out they go for another season. Let's see if Wimbledon draw someone like Manchester United or Spurs in the next round.

FINAL SCORE: Wigan 1 Wimbledon 2