Dinning on the double

Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan moved up one place to second in Division Two thanks to a superb display at Plymouth's Home Park stadium with Tony Dinning continued improvement in a Latics shirt one of the highlights of an entertaining afternoon's football.

The result saw Wigan come from behind to take all three points for the first time since Paul Jewell took over in the managerial hot seat at the JJB in June 2000 and maintained their record of having the best away form in the Nationwide League.

Scott Green failed a late fitness test ahead of the game and was replaced in the Wigan starting line up by Gary Teale who went onto receive special praise from his manager after the game.

Young Leighton Baines was included amongst the substitutes again, joining Peter Kennedy whose name appeared on the team sheet for the first time since injuring his Achilles whilst on international duty for Northern Ireland towards the end of August.

The game was preceded by an impeccably observed minute's silence arranged as a mark of respect for Wigan's vice-chairman Duncan Sharpe who had tragically passed away earlier in the week.

Wigan and Plymouth failed to stamp their authority on the opening exchanges with both sides limited to half chances for the first 15 minutes or so.

The first corner of the game fell to Wigan with less than 5 minutes of the game gone. The kick fell at the feet of skipper Jason De Vos who shot was deflected behind by defender David Worrell for another corner kick.

Minutes later Lee McCulloch tested Romain Larrieu with a 30 yarder but the French keeper held the fierce shot comfortably.

Larrieu was caught off his line and could only palm a shot as far as Neil Roberts and luckily for the keeper the Welsh striker's effort went behind for a goal kick.

The home side applied a bit of pressure at the other end and Wigan were grateful for Matt Jackson's clearance from a Steve Adams shot as the game approached the 15 minute mark and a minute later John Filan was called upon to save from Ian Stonebridge.

Plymouth continued to press and were rewarded in the 18th minute with the opening goal. From a throw in the ball found Graham Coughlan and his centre was nodded down by Michael Evans to find IAN STONEBRIDGE in space who controlled the ball well before firing a low shot beyond Filan's reach.

Paul Sturroch's side went close to increasing their lead two minutes later when David Friio headed narrowily over the angle to Filan's right before Lee Hodges fired straight at Filan from 25 yards out.

Wigan levelled the game in the 25th minute when Jason Jarrett charged down the right to the byeline and kept to his feet despite the attention of a couple of defenders.

He slipped the ball back to Gary Teale who sent the ball across to an unmarked TONY DINNING on the left and the midfielder calmly slotted home from 6 yards out.

Wigan then stepped up a gear, taking charge of the game and three minutes after the equaliser saw a Teale shot charged down with the ball landing at Roberts' feet.

The Welshman's cross back into the area caused concern for the Plymouth rearguard but the danger was cleared following a mini scramble for the ball.

Dinning was on hand to head behind for a Plymouth corner from a teasing right wing cross to the far post on the half hour mark but it was Wigan who finished the half the stronger with a McCulloch 20 yarder going narrowily over the bar.

Latics perhaps should have done better when Teale broke clear down the right before delivering a perfect ball to Jarrett in space on the left but the midfielder seemed to rush his shot and fired inches wide of the post as the half drew to a close.

The second half was nearly all Wigan but it was the home side who almost restored their lead two minutes after the restart with Michael Evans getting his head on the end of a Martin Phillips cross but Filan showed his class to deny Evans his second goal of the season.

Ellington then broke free of his markers allowing him to set up Jarrett but his shot blazed over the woodwork and then Larrieu saved well with his legs to thwart Ellington when the Wigan striker had only the French keeper between him and goal.

Wigan's second goal of the game arrived in the 58th minute with Teale again involved in the build up.

Teale's shot was blocked but only as far as TONY DINNING who gave Larrieu no chance with his powerful strike.

Stonebridge went close to grabbing an equaliser for Argyle but saw his shot from the edge of the area tipped over the bar by Filan before Larrieu was called upon to make another decent save to stop McCulloch at the other end.

Sturroch shuffled his side around in a bid to break down Wigan's resolve but the visitors stood firm and could have added a couple more goals before the game reached injury time with Teale, McCulloch and Ellington all going close in the final stages.

Just as Wigan appeared to have done enough to secure the win NATHAN ELLINGTON popped up to give the scoreline a slightly more respectable look about it and finish the game off once and for all.

The Duke's 7th league goal of the season arrived in the final minute of time added on by the Berkshire referee when he raced clear from the half way line with only the keeper to beat and didn't waste the opportunity with a sweet shot.

Ellington has now scored 8 times in the previous 6 games, failing to find the net only once at Barnsley and is rapidly repaying the £1.2 million forked out for him at the end of March.