Wigan Athletic edge out Stockport County

Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Stockport County

Fraser Murray came off the bench to settle a drab Carabao Cup tie, his late header securing Wigan victory over local rivals Stockport.

Author | Amy W

Stadium | Brick Community Stadium

View from the away end

The two sides will meet again in League One on Saturday, and their selections reflected that more pressing fixture, with 17 changes between the teams.

Chances were scarce in a turgid first half, Wigan’s Maleace Asamoah Jnr the only player to threaten, first skewing a shot wide and then nodding over the bar. The young forward remained the liveliest outlet after the break, his pace troubling Corey O’Keeffe, only for a soft free-kick to spare Stockport when he seemed set to break clear.

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With penalties looming, the Latics finally found a way through in the closing stages. Christian Saydee’s cross picked out Murray at the far post, and he steered his header beyond Ben Hinchliffe. There was still time for Tobias Brenan to pass up the chance of a second, delayed finishing allowing the goalkeeper to make a sharp save.

More analysis of what happened

Steven Sessegnon created Wigan’s first opportunity with a strike from the edge of the box, comfortably gathered by Ben Hinchliffe. The move offered promise, with Mullin, Sessegnon and Adeeko combining neatly to work through Stockport’s back line.

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Shortly afterwards, Smith advanced down the right and fizzed a pass into the path of Asamoah Jnr, whose shot went just wide of the far post. Brenan almost added to the scoring in the first 30 minutes, his curling cross from the left corner flag grazing the roof of the net.

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Stockport had a handful of chances themselves but failed to truly test the home goalkeeper. They maintained strong possession, moving the ball swiftly through midfield into dangerous positions while maintaining a solid defensive shape that made it difficult for Wigan to create clear openings.

On the edge of half-time, Asamoah Jnr again came close to scoring. The chance followed a brave Brenan intervention on the left, sliding in to halt a Stockport counter before driving down the by-line and evading attempts to dispossess him. His curling cross found Asamoah Jnr, who headed over the crossbar. Jay Mingi later had a half-chance from a Danny Andrew free kick, slicing his effort wide, while Smith’s free-kick on the final whistle bounced around the box before being cleared.

Just past the hour mark, Wigan made two changes, bringing Joe Hungbo and Fraser Murray on for Callum McManaman and Jonny Smith, both of whom had readjusted well to life at the club.

The breakthrough arrived late in the second half. Christian Saydee delivered a precise cross into the box, allowing Murray to time his run perfectly, slip behind the defence and head home at the far post.

The goal proved decisive, with Wigan seeing out the remaining minutes comfortably on top.