Wonderteam Wigan soar at Highbury

But Roberts, who had earlier missed half a dozen chances, broke clear in the 119th minute, forced his way past two defenders and kept his cool to tuck the ball home and send Wigan into their first major final.

While Roberts was celebrating his goal, many of his teammates and many of the travelling fans were preparing for penalties, unaware the away goals rule applied.

‘‘A few of the boys didn’t even know we’d won, they thought it was going to penalties, I knew we had’’, Roberts said.

Wigan were elected to the Football League in 1978 and are enjoying an excellent first season in the top flight. Athletic are in sixth position, behind Arsenal on goal difference.

They have never previously gone beyond the quarter-finals in the FA or League Cup.

‘‘Twenty eight years ago we were playing non-league football and now we are in a cup final’’, said Wigan chairman Dave Whelan. ‘‘I didn’t realise it was the away goals rule either but its absolutely fantastic for the whole of Wigan.’’

‘‘It’s absolutely fantastic’’, said Wigan manager Paul Jewell. ‘‘Everyone deserves it. The chairman’s on the pitch, it’s just a fairytale that continues, we’ve even got a good chance of getting into Europe.’’

Wigan face either Manchester United or Blackburn Rovers in next month’s final.

(Reuters)