Lancashire Senior Cup - ROUND 1

LATICS 0
BURY 0

Latics win 11-10 on penalties

17 year-old Youth-team goalkeeper Neil Postlethwaite was the hero in front of watching Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce as 10-man Latics dramatically qualified to face Liverpool for the second round of the Lancashire Senior Cup after a marathon penalty shoot out at Robin Park this afternoon.

Reserve team manager Keith Bertschin was forced to field a side featuring seven First Year Scholars and not a single senior pro but was delighted with the attitude of his players in difficult circumstances.

"It was a steep learning curve for a lot of them," he said, "but I thought they came through the test really well and held their nerve in the shoot-out. I'm pleased for them."

Centre half Luke Ashworth was controversially dismissed after 55 minutes after Bury striker Domaine Rouse went to ground when both players chased a through ball.

Latics also had to overcome the loss of Aidan Kirkbride and Craig Mahon through injury and Postlethwaite only was only seriously called upon on a couple of occasions.

At the other end, substitute Chris McCaughtrie had Latics' best chance, but saw his drive well blocked by Bury keeper Aaron Grundy.

With the penalty shoot-out reduced to ten players a side because of the sending off, both sides had a complete 100% record, with neither keeper close to any of the first ten spot-kicks.

Latics substitute Scott McArdle then held his nerve to put Latics 11-10 to the good with his second penalty, and Postlethwaite dived brilliantly to his left to deny Bury's Ricky Alane.

The date for the next round has not been confirmed yet.

LATICS: Postlethwaite; Moore, Meace, Ashworth, Mustoe; McManaman, Kirkbride (McArdle, 35), Cwyka, Prince; Barrie (McCaughtrie 53), Mahon (King, 68).
Unused sub: Porter.