Report | Bristol Rovers 1 Latics 2.
Late drama, as Scott Wootton wins it for Latics.
Callum Lang gave his side the lead, with Wootton's winner on target in stoppage time.

Bristol Rovers 1

McCormick 69

Wigan Athletic 2

Lang 51

Wootton 90+4

There's no sweeter taste than a stoppage time victory, especially when the odds are continually stacked against you... and it was SO sweet for Latics at Bristol Rovers when defender Scott Wootton turned in the winner to clinch all three points in a dramatic 2-1 victory at the Memorial Stadium.

Callum Lang had given Latics the lead with his fifth goal of the season and fourth in his last five outings, only for Luke McCormick to cancel it out with an equaliser 18 minutes later... but with Thelo Aasgaard's wand of a right foot towards the near post from a late free kick, centre back Wootton duly delivered a close range finish to spark wild scenes of celebration on the touchline, as staff and players showed their unity and desire to win.

With Swindon Town, AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion all picking up points around Latics in the Sky Bet League One table, the importance of the late victory was telling, with just three points separating the bottom seven teams in the division.

Latics came into the evening with two forced changes, as both Chris Merrie and Jame Proctor were forced to sit out due to injury, with Will Keane and Joe Dodoo drafted in, the latter for his first start from the club.

After a solid first half showing, Latics burst into life just six minutes into the second half when Luke Robinson's left sided cross was flicked on by Keane and into the path of Lang for a diving header and a crucial lead.

Unfortunately it didn't last, and the game felt like it was going the same way as the previous weekend's 2-1 defeat to Lincoln City, when McCormick was allowed room to manoeuvre and side step two defenders, before turning the equaliser into the bottom right corner with 21 minutes to play.

A string of forrays forward from the Gas had Latics' faithful feeling nervy, but Leam Richardson and Gregor Rioch's side showed fighting spirit until the very end, proving the doubters wrong with a delightful late winner.

Aasgaard placed the ball down 35 yards out on the left touchline, before whipping his delivery towards the front post, allowing Wootton to cut across the ball and find the back of the net... pandemonium, it's the only word for it!

Bristol Rovers: Day, Leahy, Grant, Upson (Westbrooke 59), Hanlan (Ayunga 86), Nicholson (Daly 85), McCormick (Oztumer 86), Kilgour, Harries, Rodman (Koiki 65), Williams
Subs: van Stappershoef, Baldwin

Latics: Jones (Capt); Darikwa, Wootton, Tilt, Robinson, Ojo, Aasgaard; Solomon-Otabor (Massey 81), Lang, Keane (Johnston 81), Dodoo
Subs: Evans, Whelan, Clough, Perry, Gardner

Report | Bristol Rovers 1 Wigan Athletic 2