Wigan remain a Jewell wonder

English League Cup quarter-finals/ Wigan 2; Bolton Wanderers 0: Jason Roberts fired Wigan into the history books as Paul Jewell's unheralded side reached their first major semi-final.

Roberts struck twice in the closing eight minutes of the first half to deservedly send the Latics into the last four of the English League Cup.

In their 27-year existence as a league club, the only two occasions Wigan have appeared in any semi-final is when they went on to win the Freight Rover Trophy in 1985 and then the Auto Windscreens Shield six years ago.

For an unwell Jewell, who chose to let assistant Chris Hutchings run the show from the sidelines, his remarkable side provided him with a perfect tonic, even if they are making a mockery of his words.

Jewell yesterday claimed the prospect of winning a trophy and playing in Europe next season was unlikely as Wigan are paying full attention to top-flight survival.

But with Wigan just four wins away from another Premiership season, they could now achieve their own spectacular "double" - survival and a trophy.

Yet for the opening 40 minutes of this quarter-final tie at the JJB Stadium, it was a game which appeared to be heading down a dead end. Defences dominated as the two teams struggled to make any headway.

But then came a moment of magic from Jewell's side as they carved open Bolton manager Sam Allardyce's previously stubborn rearguard.

From the outset there appeared no way through as the Bolton defence again crowded out the home side, only for a quick one-touch exchange to pave the way. The incisive move saw Alan Mahon feed Andreas Johansson, and the Swede deftly laid the ball off for Roberts.

After leaving Tal Ben Haim in his wake with a sharp turn, Roberts crisply fired his fifth goal of the season beyond previously untroubled goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Double trouble followed for Allardyce, and at a critical time just seconds before the interval whistle.

Bolton were guilty of leaving themselves exposed at the back, and that allowed Wigan to launch a three-on-two raid.

That appeared to flounder when Johansson lost control midway inside the Bolton half, seemingly affording Radhi Jaidi the simple task of mopping up.

But the Tunisian centre-back lost the ball under his feet, allowing a grateful Roberts to capitalise by despatching another firm, right-footed drive past the despairing Jaaskelainen.

Bolton's only two chances of the half came in a four-minute purple patch, with the first of those in the 14th minute.

A short corner from Stelios Giannakopoulos was played to Joey O'Brien who delivered a curling cross to the far post where the home defence made a hash of clearing their lines.

Wigan are potentially just three games away from claiming what would surely be the most astonishing place in Europe for any English club.

WIGAN ATHLETIC: Pollitt, Taylor (Chimbonda 86), De Zeeuw, Jackson, Baines, Mahon (Teale 69), Kavanagh, Francis, McCulloch, Johansson (Camara 69), Roberts. Subs not used: Filan, Connolly. Booked: Kavanagh. Goals: Roberts 40, 45.

BOLTON WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Ben Haim, Jaidi, Gardner, Giannakopoulos (Vaz Te 57), Speed, Faye (Okocha 71), Nolan, Nakata (Diouf 61), Davies. Subs not used: Walker, Hunt. Booked: Nolan, Diouf.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).