PORTSMOUTH..............2
Cole 64, Kanu 90

WIGAN ATHLETIC.........1
McCulloch 83

A stunning late Lee McCulloch equaliser cancels out Andy Cole's earlier opener, but Nkwankwo Kanu cruelly headed in a winner in stoppage time to end Wigan's F.A. Cup hopes for another season.

Lee McCulloch almost rescued Wigan's F.A. Cup hopes with an absolutely brilliant goal with just eight minutes left. The Scot returned from a three-match suspension and he thumped the ball into the corner of David James' net after latching onto Gary Teale's ball inside the penalty box.

After an evenly matched tie, veteran Andy Cole clinically fired a left-footed goal into the top corner of the goal to send Latics out of the F.A. Cup at the Third Round stage. The two times F.A. Cup winner turned his body quickly after receiving the ball from Sean Davis leaving Mike Pollitt with no chance.

But McCulloch's equaliser gave hope to Latics who did not deserve to lose in what was a battling performance on the south coast.

It was definitely a very cruel finish when Glen Johnson's cross was headed in by substitute Nkwankwo Kanu in stoppage time, but it was a very encouraging performance by Paul Jewell's men.

Latics might have sneaked a second equaliser as Pompey goalkeeper David James flapped at Leighton Baines' corner in the dying seconds, but Latics couldn't quite divert the ball into the net.

With Josip Skoko missing, it was Kevin Kilbane and Denny Landzaat in the centre of midfield and the latter gave a superb performance as he was up against Davis and Pedro Mendes.

Wigan went close in the 67^th minute Leighton Baines drove the ball towards the target, but it took a great reaction from David James to deny Latics what would have been another great goal for the left-back.

Emmerson Boyce made an important clearance off the line earlier the second half when Davis saw his shot parried by Pollitt before Gary O'Neill followed up with a rebound shot.

There was no doubt that it was a confident performance at a rainy Fratton Park, and high flying Pompey did not pose too much of a threat on their home turf until Cole's opening goal.

Although not too many clear cut chances, Latics did have a superb opportunity half-way through the first half when Emile Heskey headed Leighton Baines' free-kick just over the bar. Later on, Heskey was almost clean through but a well timed challenge from Campbell prevented the Latics striker having a clear view of the goal.

Pompey had their chances too, when Johnson's cross found Nikos Krancjar, but the Croation headed wide of Pollitt's left-hand post.

Cole also had two decent opportunities for himself as he forced Pollitt to tip the ball around the post and also saw another shot charged down by Fitz Hall.

So Wigan's cup dreams are over for another year, but Wigan produced a positive performance against sixth placed Portsmouth, who have only lost once at Fratton Park all season.