A penalty from Paul Mullin saw League One Wigan Athletic book their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup – but only after a monumental effort from League Two outfit Notts County.
The home side scored what proved to be the only goal inside 10 minutes when Maleace Asamoah was tripped in the box by County skipper Matty Palmer – a former Latics loanee – and on-loan Wrexham striker Mullin smashed the spot-kick past Kelle Roos.
Wigan suffered a massive blow just before the half-hour mark when on-loan Liverpool defender Isaac Mabaya was stretchered off with what looked to be a serious lower leg injury.
County dominated the ball in the first half without really threatening Sam Tickle in the Wigan goal.
But all that changed in the second period as Kellan Gordon raced into the box and was only denied by a fine save by the Latics goalkeeper.
Tickle was tested again seconds later when he had to get down well to pouch a shot from Tom Iorpenda.
The visitors came closer still when substitute Matty Dennis did beat the diving Tickle, only to see his low drive come back off the far post.
And Wigan were indebted to Tickle for making his best save of the night with three minutes to go to deny Jayden Luker and send his side through.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Lowe: ‘I’m just gutted for the kid’
Paterson: 'We had enough opportunities to probably win a couple of games.'
