Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic finally ended their long winless run at Adams Park against FA Cup semi-finalists Wycombe Wanderers but left it too late for comfort to seal this vital victory. A Peter Beagrie strike in the third minute of stoppage time broke the home sides hearts and incensed manager Lawrie Sanchez so much that within minutes of the final whistle being blown he was in his car and off.

Prior to this game Wigan's last victory came 9 games ago when goals from Stefan Bidstrup and Andy Liddell sealed a win against Colchester United at Layer Road, since then Latics had picked up only 5 points so this victory was vital for Colin Greenall's men as they attempt to get the season back on track.

Wigan's first real chance of the game fell to Lee McCulloch when he headed over the bar from a Lee Ashcroft cross on 12 minutes.

Then nearly ten minutes later Wycomber keeper Paul Taylor was forced into a fine save to deny McCulloch from outside the area.

Andy Liddell limped from the field after only 23 minutes to be replaced by midfielder Peter Beagrie after picking up an ankle injury which could well keep him out of Wigan's next game against Brentford.

On the half hour mark nice work down the wing from Beagrie allowed him to set up Darren Sheridan but his rocket from 20 yards out flew straight at the keeper.

A couple of minutes later a Beagrie free kick was blocked by the Wycombe wall only for the rebound to find Paul Dalglish but his shot on goal went wide of the post.

On 35 minutes Taylor was called upon again to block another Dalglish effort after a brilliant run down the right wing.

Three minutes later Wycombe's Steve Brown, returning after serving a four match suspension, had a shot on goal charged down by the Wigan defence and on 41 minutes leading goalscorer Andy Rammell hit his effort over the bar after being set up by new signing Guy Whittingham.

Up at the other end of the pitch Wigan earned themselves a corner which was taken by Beagrie who found the head of De Zeeuw but the big Dutchman put it over the bar.

Wigan took the lead on the stroke of half time when Arjan De Zeeuw headed against the bar from another Beagrie corner and LEE MCCULLOCH cracked in the rebound from close range in a goalmouth scramble. Not exactly one of the classiest of goals but it was enough to send the posse of travelling Latics fans behind that goal into a frenzy.

Wycombe went close to snatching an equaliser in the dying moments of the half when defender Chris Marsh stole in clear on goal but fired his low shot into the side netting.

HALF TIME: Wycombe 0 Wigan 1

Wigan started the second half in search of a second goal and immediately went on the attack with Lee McCulloch header saved by Taylor from a Dalglish cross from the right.

Carroll was called into action with less than five minutes of the second half played, saving from Steve Brown. Minutes later Beagrie fired into the side netting.

[Wycombe players celebrate the equaliser] Wycombe's equaliser came in the 72nd minute when defender PAUL MCCARTHY rose to nod home from a Steve Brown corner, the ball squeezing in at the post with Wigan midfielder Roberto Martinez stood there helpless to stop McCarthy's 8th goal of the season.

The home side were reduced to ten men on 81 minutes when Jamie Bates received his marching orders for a second bookable offence following a late challenge.

Wigan didn't have time to capitalise on their numerical advantage as midfielder Roberto Martinez befell the same fate four minutes later after a rash challenge and followed Bates to the dressing room

Fourth official Keith Richards had signalled that four minutes of time was to be added on and with precious seconds ticking away Latics looked to be heading towards their 18th draw of the season when PETER BEAGRIE raced 30 yards down the left wing moved inside and hammered it past Wycombe keeper Martin Taylor from 25 yards out to win the game with almost the last kick of the game.

The look of absolute delight on the face of Wigan keeper Roy Carroll summed up the mood as the Tipton official blew to bring an end to the afternoon's proceedings. Wycombe manager Lawrie Sanchez's rapid exit probably summed up his mood after seeing his side denied a share of the spoils in the cruelest of fashions. No doubt the former Wimbledon player will say that his team deserved something out of the game but for my money Wigan were good value for their win.