Report by John Patrick Heeley

Bruce Rioch's Latics makeshift side completely outclassed Carlisle United who's team included no fewer than six new signings.

The Wigan manager can now set his sights on the new season and will hopefully have seen enough in the last couple of weeks to help him decide on his strategy for promotion.

Wigan's final game of the pre-season ended in with a sweet, morale-boosting victory and also heralded Bruce Rioch's first win in charge of the Latics.

Only 30 or so 'tics fans braved the 100 mile or so journey up the M6 but what they witnessed will have given them optimism for the new season that lies ahead.

The game was over as a contest with just over 30 minutes on the clock after Wigan went into a three goal lead with that man again, Andy Liddell, playing no small part in the proceedings.

The first goal came on 19 minutes when Scott Green found himself clear down the right before crossing the ball into the area, finding LIDDELL, whose header came in off the far post.

Not content with scoring, Liddell went on to be provider for the second and third goals but not before Carlisle blew their chance to equalise from the penalty spot.

Darren Sheridan brought down Carlisle's Stevens in the box and Steve Soley stepped up to take the resulting kick only for Roy Carroll to push his effort against the post

The second goal for Wigan came moments later, on the half hour mark, following an excellent throw by Roy Carroll out to Liddell who's ball latched on to BRIAN MCLAUGHLIN setting him free to drill past an advancing Luke Weaver in the Carlisle goal to score his first full team goal in a Latics shirt.

The fat lady began clearing her throat only two minutes later, with the Carlisle defence at sixes and sevens Liddell set up NEIL REDFEARN who sweetly drove a curling shot from 20 yards to beat the diving Weaver.

Carlisle pulled a goal back just before the half time interval following a Hemmings' corner. His cross was met by the head of STEVENS who beat Carroll to nod the ball into the goal.

After the interval, and with the knowledge that they had the game wrapped up, Wigan sat back and took their foot off the gas and the game looked like nothing more than a stroll for the Second Division bookies' favourites.

Carlisle perservered, but to no avail, creating nothing more than a couple of half chances.

Liddell was by far the star of the afternoon but credit must also go to Sheridan, who played well in an unfamiliar left-back roll and Carl Bradshaw who filled in well in the centre of defence after Pat McGibbon had hobbled off the field.

Young Paul Morris also gave another polished performance and seems to fit in well with his more experienced team mates. The lad obviously has a bright future ahead of him.

Now it's down to South Wales next and the opening game of the new season against newly promoted Swansea City at Vetch Field.