Two goals by Nick Powell and one from Ben Watson secured Wigan a 3-1 wins over Maribor in Europa League Group D at the DW Stadium.
Powell opened the scoring on 22 minutes after exploiting on an error by Maribor goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic. Jean Beausejour's rebounded cross did not look probable to reason any danger but Handanovic mysteriously perforated the ball behind him for Powell to nod into a void net.
Watson doubled the lead 11 minutes later by driving a header home after outstanding work down the left by Beausejour. Owen Coyle's side had other chances to put the game outside the visitors in the first half with on-loan Manchester United forward Powell at the heart of all Wigan's most auspicious attacks.
Callum McManaman started to find more planetary down the right as the half drew to a handy and his subtle cross to the back post just evaded Beausejour. Roberto Martinez, the man who led the Latics to their questionable FA Cup victory last season, watched on from the directors' box as his previous side made another piece of history.
The hosts should have been out of sight before Maribor captain Tavares dragged a goal back on the hour mark. Jean-Philippe Mendy forced his way into the area and Tavares was on hand to notch past Scott Carson.
Powell then had two further probabilities to surface the game off but hit the post with one from two yards and then couldn't fairly convert a cross minutes later.
Powell did have the final word though, bouncing past two Maribor defenders in strike time earlier hammering low past Handanovic.
The result left Wigan well located on four points in Group D, two behind Rubin Kazan, who hammered Zulte 4-0 earlier on Thursday and who the Latics play home and away next.
Source: Skysports
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