• Eighteen-year-old substitute Harrison Bettoni’s stunning brace gave Wigan Athletic their first away win of the season against AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. 
• Latics had the better of the first half and missed several good chances with Fraser Murray, Dara Costelloe and Callum Wright all going close. At the other end the Dons had a great opportunity on 38 minutes but Ryan Johnson headed just over.
• The Dons were much better at the start of the second half and they went ahead on 70 minutes when Joe Lewis flicked on a long ball for Alistair Smith, who fired home via the crossbar.
• On 77 minutes manager Ryan Lowe gave Bettoni his Football League debut and with his first touch he fired home a superb free-kick to draw Latics level.
• Ten minutes later Bettoni’s dream debut got even better when he produced another sublime finish which secured a rare victory for Latics in the capital.
• Latics move up to 15th place and the Dons are now in eighth place in the League One table.

Ryan Lowe made two changes from Latics 1-1 draw at Exeter City in their last League One outing a fortnight ago. Tyrese Francois replaced the suspended Matt Smith and Dara Costelloe returned up front after serving his three-match suspension. 

It was a quiet opening period at the Cherry Red Records Stadium with neither side creating any chances until on 13 minutes Latics had an opening.

Raphael drove forward before releasing the ball for Callum Wright. Wright found Fraser Murray inside the six-yard box but Murray somehow dragged his close range strike wide. 

Five minutes later the visitors had another chance. Costelloe charged through after a clever Christian Saydee dummy, and might have taken a shot but unselfishly squared it to Wright, who was denied by an excellent last-ditch block.

Latics had another great chance in the 25th minute when Costelloe met Wright’s inviting cross from the left and headed his near-post effort just over the crossbar.

The hosts best chance of the half came on 38 minutes when Seddon’s free-kick found Johnson free in the box but he headed just over the crossbar.

The Dons were much improved in the second half, pressing higher and moving the ball quicker.

But the visitors went close in the 67th minute when Raphael’s curling strike just cleared the crossbar. 

Latics failure to capitalise on their chances looked critical in the 70th minute when the Dons went ahead with Alistair Smith firing home off the crossbar from a Joe Lewis flick on. 

Ryan Lowe immediately introduced substitute Bettoni for what turned out to be an incredible league debut.

With his first touch of the game, Bettoni brilliantly bent a remarkable free-kick into the top corner. 

Ten minutes later Bettoni grabbed the winner, after he sublimely finished past Nathan Bishop in what was a truly remarkable debut for the eighteen-year-old.

Despite four minutes of added time Latics held on for their first away win of the season and their first win in London since 2021.

Overview

Latics had once again struggled to convert their chances against the Dons and when Alistair Smith gave the hosts the lead it looked like another frustrating afternoon in London.

Jason Kerr had gifted the Dons a corner and from the resulting play Latics had conceded and heads might have dropped but fortunately up stepped Bettoni for a stunning debut.

I’m sure the eighteen-year-old couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to his Latics career. With his first touch he curled a stunning left foot strike into the top corner and then ten minutes later he stayed composed and slotted home a remarkable winner with his right foot.

Have the Latics Academy unearthed another gem?

It’s very early days in Bettoni’s career but he could prove to be the answer to the Tics striker problems.

Christian Saydee, Costelloe and Mullin are all struggling for goals and Asamoah Junior has an injury. After such a stunning debut Bettoni deserves to start against Stevenage next Saturday.

Post match comments

Afterwards Lowe was extremely pleased to send the fans home happy with three huge points. 

“I’m pleased for the group, and I am pleased for our fans,” he told the media.

“I dedicate that win to them, because they’ve been travelling in their droves for many months now.

“We felt like we should’ve won at Lincoln, Mansfield and Exeter, and sent them home happy today with a late winner which was thoroughly deserved. 

“I thought we were the better team in the first half, but AFC Wimbledon came out in the second half and caused us a few problems. 

“We changed shape and brought a couple of players on after their goal, and were really on the front foot to get back into the game.

“The away win has been coming – the lads have been excellent all week, and we felt today was going to be a good day for us, and the work has paid off.

“The togetherness within the group is fantastic, and I want that to continue, and with our fans, who are a big part of it

“I am really pleased for the fans, as they pay their hard-earned money and have been waiting for that away win, and I am pleased for the players because they’ve taken all the information on board and executed the game plan.”

“When the free-kick was on that side, Fraser (Murray) and Morgan (Fox) were after it, and I thought let’s make the change now.

Harrison has ability so I told him to go on and pick a corner. Lo and behold, he bangs it in the top corner. 

Credit to Harrison (Bettoni) – he’s been fantastic and on the verge of getting around us. 

His attitude and application has gone through the roof, and he’s come on today and won us three points.”

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