Report by John Patrick Heeley

Simon Haworth has certainly got a good record against Wycombe Wanderers. In the four games played between the two sides last season he bagged four goals and today he marked his comeback from injury with a fifth, his ninth goal of the season to open the scoring in the fourth minute.

Wycombe came to the JJB having only two wins on their travels in the league so far and were looking to add a third and consolidate on their eighth place in Division Two but Latics had other ideas and what appeared to be a wonder goal from substitute Neil Roberts settled the tie with only four minutes of normal play remaining.

Wigan took the lead thanks to Keith Gillespie's determination as he barged his way through the Wycombe defence and put a ball into the area which SIMON HAWORTH doved to meet with his head and put into th net from five yards.

In the 15th minute De Zeeuw went close when he dove over the top of the defence and narrowly missed connecting with his head.

A minute later Liddell battled his way to the right bye-line and managed to get a cross over but it went out of play with Haworth waiting to pounce at the far post.

Moments later Kevin Sharp lobbed the ball into the middle of Wycombe's area but it was a tad too long for Haworth whose outstretched boot could only put it into touch.

Wycombe's only real chance of the first half came in the 19th minute when Jamie McSporran broke clear on goal but his shot was well blocked by Carroll's legs and out for a corner.

Liddell took a crack from 30 yards out in the 24th minute but his low drive took a couple of deflections and ended up in the arms of Wycombe keeper Taylor.

He nearly got onto the end of a ball chipped over from the half way line on 38 minutes. The ball was nodded backwards by Wycombe but as Liddell waited for it to drop to his feet it dropped onto his head and landed safely within reach of the keeper.

The first half finished with a Darren Sheridan run down the left challenged by a Wycombe defender but the little midfielder managed to get a cross into the box from the touchline and a waiting Haworth was blocked out by the defence who put behind for a corner.

HALF TIME: Wigan 1 Wycombe 0

Wycombe came out for the second half the more brighter although Wigan had a couple of breaks but it was the visiting side who levelled in the opening minutes.

De Zeeuw hesitated in defence and allowed the ball to come through to young SAM PARKIN, currently on loan from Chelsea, who rolled the ball over the line as Carroll stood their helpless.

It was pretty much up and down the pitch from then on in and Wycombe's inability to produce anything from attack showed through and it was no surprise that, before today, they had only managed to hit the target on 4 occasions away from home despite making good moves forward.

The next chance of any note fell Wigan's way in the 64th minute when Keith Gillespie carved through the Wycombe midfield, slotted the ball to Haworth on the edge of the area who layed it out wide to Liddell on the right and his teasing low cross into the heart of the goalmouth was scrambled behind by Wycombe.

Haworth nearly caused a riot in the 77th minute when his late tackle on McSporran on the edge of the Wycombe area caused half a dozen of the visiting players to chase after his neck and even Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez raced out of the technical area and ran shouting down the touchline.

Haworth earned himself a caution and was duely substituted on 80 minutes with fellow Welshman Neil Roberts taking his place in the front line.

The substitute had only been on the pitch a little over 5 minutes when he grabbed the winner.

Andy Liddell hammered in a shot from the edge of the area but the ball was driven straight at the Wycombe defence with the rebound landing 20 yards out at the feet of Carl Bradshaw. Bradshaw lined up a shot but instead put it out wide to the left to NEIL ROBERTS on the edge of the area and his volley looped over Taylor off his line and into the far netting for what looked like a cracking goal but the modest striker admitted after the match that it was actually meant as a cross. Who cares? They all count.

Liddell nearly put the game well out of reach with only 2 minutes remaining but after slicing through the middle of Wycombe's half he played the ball a bit too far for himself and nothing came of it.

Chesterfield referee Steve Baines blew for full time much too the relief of many a die hard Wigan fan and the result takes Wigan to joint top and only Millwall's far superior goal difference separates the two sides.

It's Stoke City up next in the league for what is surely a six pointer to use the age old cliche and with the team from The Potteries hammering Bristol Rovers 3-0 this afternoon they must be confident of getting a repeat of last season's game at The JJB and catch up with the leading pack.

FULL TIME: Wigan 2 Wycombe 1