Wigan's F.A. Cup run comes to an end as Andy Cole's strike six minutes from the end left Latics with no time to reply.

After the Carling Cup heroics in mid-week, Paul Jewell gave several key players a rest and rotated his squad. In came goalkeeper John Filan, defender Matt Jackson, midfielders Damien Francis, Reto Ziegler and Josip Skoko. Swedish hitman Andreas Johansson partnered Neil Mellor up front in attack.

City looked more assured in the opening minutes of the first period, and should have made more of a chance after just five minutes. Barton's cheeky backheel found Vassell, who crossed ball from the right wing but it was too high for Andy Cole. Leighton Baines only half cleared the ball but Stephen Ireland fired over the bar.

There was some confusion in the Latics penalty area in the 11th minute when Albert Reria's cross confused both Skoko and Filan, neither made a claim to the loose ball, but City could not make anything more of the half chance.

Whilst City did look dangerous on the counter attack, Latics were doing enough to hold them. However, the home side were also very prone to being flagged for offside by the assistant referee when they did get the opportunity to attack.

In the 23rd minute Stephen Ireland released Trevor Sinclair on the right wing, and this time City were onside. Filan was forced to come away from the box, and he hoofed the ball into the West stand.

Latics quickly went on the counter attack just after the half hour mark, but they did not trouble David James. Alan Mahon's blistering run down the middles of the pitch took him towards the edge of the penalty box, where he released Mellor on the left-hand side. The scouser crossed the ball back into the box, but the ball floated harmlessly out for a goal kick.

After 35 minutes Latics had their first real shot on goal. Andreas Johansson headed downwards, and Mellor hit the ball fiercely, but it rebounded off a City defender to safety.

But City pressurised again, and Albert Reira rode a Scharner challenge, and Spaniard put in a low cross across the face of goal, but Andy Cole couldn't connect with the ball as he slid in.

If the first half is anything to go by, the match between the two teams was hardly matched by the entertaining encounter that took place on Boxing Day.

Half-Time: Manchester City 0 - 0 Latics

Three minutes after the restart, winger Albert Reira produced a dangerous cross from the left flank, but Filan was just able to punch the ball before Andy Cole arrived.

But in the 52nd minute City were awarded an indirect free-kick after Paul Scharner made a back pass to John Filan inside the penalty area!

The ball was placed on the penalty spot with a huge defensive wall of Latics players in front of the goal. Richard Dunne smashed the ball towards the goal, but it was simply deflected away.

City threatened again five minutes later when Albert Riera's corner found Sylvain Distin, who headed towards the target at the far post from six yards, but it was an easy catch for David James.

With twenty minutes left on the clock, City captain Sylvain Distain fouled Scharner, who had moved into midfield following the introduction of Stephane Henchoz from the substitutes bench.

Ziegler's left footed free-kick deceived everyone in the penalty area, but the ball fell to substitute Jason Roberts, whose shot was saved at the feet of James before Damien Francis' rebound hit the bar!

Suddenly the game hotted up, and City went on the attack in the 76th minute. Trevor Sinclair's deep cross found Bradley Wright-Phillips, but his header was tipped over superbly by John Filan for a corner.

But City took the lead with only six minutes left leaving Latics little time to response. Bradley Wright-Phillips made a run towards the penalty box before unselfishly passing the ball to Andy COLE, who easily side footed past the advancing Filan,

In the 89th minute Leighton Baines made a superb pass to Jason Roberts which sliced through the City midfield, but Richard Dunne was there to dispossess the Wigan striker.

It was a tight game, but City only just edged their way past Latics. It was not a game which had presented many chances for either team. Whilst the F.A. Cup may not have been as successful as the Carling Cup, it is still the farthest Latics of come in the F.A. Cup for nearly two decades.

Full-Time: Manchester City 1 - 0 Latics

Latics Starting Line-Up: Filan, Chimbonda, Jackson ©, Johansson, Mahon (Bullard 65), Francis, Scharner, Zeigler, Skoko (Henchoz 70), Baines, Mellor (Roberts 59).

Unused Substitutes: Pollitt, Kavanagh.

Manchester City Starting Line-Up: James, Distin, Barton, Sun, Riera (Musampa 69), Dunne, Sinclair, Ireland (Sibierski 82), Jordan, Cole, Vassell (Wright-Phillips 59).

Unused Substitutes: Weaver, Richards.

Referee: Howard Webb.