Harrison Bettoni made the breakthrough. Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic

• League One Wigan Athletic caused a shock as they deservedly knocked Championship Preston North End out of the FA Cup at Deepdale.
• Latics were the better team in the first half and Dara Costelloe had a great opportunity to put the visitors ahead on 14 minutes but he fired wide.
• The second half was more closely fought but Latics took the lead on 75 minutes when Harrison Bettoni’s strike was deflected off Andrew Hughes and wrong footed Daniel Iverson.
• Sam Tickle made a great save at his near post to deny the Lilywhites substitute Alfie Devine on 79 minutes.
• Latics substitute Asamoah Junior was brought down in the box on 84 minutes but Callum Wright blazed the resulting penalty high and wide.
• Asamoah Junior nearly added a second goal for Latics after a blistering run from his own half but Iverson made a good save.
• With 97 minutes on the clock Tickle made a full length save to deny Devine and substitute Brad Potts converted the rebound only for the linesman to disallow his finish for offside and Latics were through.

Ryan Lowe made three changes to the side that were defeated at Cardiff City last Sunday. Joe Hungbo replaced the suspended Fraser Murray. Matt Smith returned after suspension in midfield and Harrison Bettoni came back in attack with Tobias Brenan and Tyrese Francois missing out.

Latics started brightly and in the first minute Hungbo’s cross was turned narrowly wide by Wright.

PNE went close on seven minutes when Lewis Dobbin’s strike was deflected wide of the target.

The best chance of the first half fell to Costelloe. Bettoni played a superb through ball which put Costelloe in the clear but the striker’s shot was wide of Iverson’s post.

A Will Aimson header from a free-kick forced a good save from the PNE keeper but the referee had already blown for an infringement in the box.

All square at half-time.

Latics started the second half well and Raphael had a shot blocked before Jensen Weir blazed the follow up high over the crossbar.

Costelloe went down in the box on 70 minutes but was booked for simulation.

Former Latics academy product Devine joined the fray on 72 minutes.

Latics made the breakthrough on 75 minutes when Bettoni cut inside and his strike hit Hughes and wrong footed Iverson.

Bettoni who was struggling with cramp was then replaced by Asamoah Junior soon afterwards.

Tickle came to Latics rescue on 79 minutes when he made a superb save at his near post to deny Devine.

Asamoah Junior drove forward into the PNE box on 84 minutes and was brought down by Pol Valentin and referee Oliver Langford awarded a penalty.

Latics missed a glorious opportunity to double their lead from the penalty spot when Wright blazed high and wide.

Substitute Asamoah Junior was causing all kinds of problems and he had a shot well-saved by Iverson on 88 minutes.

Both sides had chances in seven minutes of added time.

First substitute Potts fired over the crossbar for PNE from 20-yards on 91 minutes.

Then on 94 minutes Asamoah Junior made a brilliant run from his own half out pacing two defenders before his final effort from close range was well saved by Iverson.

There was high drama in the final minute of added time.

Tickle made a superb full length save from Devine and substitute Potts converted the rebound only for the linesman to disallow the goal for offside.

Latics deservedly progressed to the fourth round and they will be hoping for a good draw in Monday’s FA Cup draw.

Overview

Latics had upset the odds and overcome the Championship promotion-chasers on their own ground.

It was a very pleasing performance for Latics as they had matched PNE throughout and created the better chances during the game.

The former PNE manager Ryan Lowe will be particularly pleased to get one over his former club.

Lowe had been criticised for his tactics in the defeat at Cardiff but this time he got his tactics right.

Lowe’s men had performed admirably. They were well-organised and hard-working throughout.

They pressed much higher than at Cardiff and set out their stall to pose the hosts problems in the final third.

Costelloe, Wright, Bettoni and substitute Asamoah Junior all worked tirelessly and occupied the hosts’ defence. They created more opportunities than they had in recent games and could easily have scored more goals with some better finishing.

The defence continues to perform to a high standard and the midfielders were much improved on recent games.

This was a memorable performance against a team who could well finish in the play-off places for the Premier League.

Latics must now try to transfer this performance into their League One form and start to move up the table.

Post-match comments

Afterwards Lowe dedicated the victory to the travelling supporters.

“We’ve said to the lads in the last few days that the FA Cup brings magical moments, and that was a magical moment for me, the players and our fans,” he told the media.

“We used Hemel Hempstead Town and Barrow as an example – it was their big game coming to our Stadium, and this was a big game for us and our fans.

“What a moment. I think we had the best chances, and when you come to these places, you have to grind it out and work hard.

“We nullified their threats, found their weaknesses, and scored a good goal through Harrison.

“I am pleased and proud – and that’s for our fans. It’s a local derby, we’ve done one, and we’ve got another one to go next week.”