Goals from John Hartson and Marcus Gayle saw Wimbledon through a testing encounter against Division Two high flyers Wigan Athletic as they moved into the Worthington Cup third round with a 2-1 victory.

After the scoreless first leg, many had expected a similarly uninspiring clash at the JJB Stadium, but the second leg proved to be a wholly different affair.

This was ensured by almost the first kick of the game when controversial Welsh striker Hartson put the visitors in front after just 19 seconds.

A speculative punt from Swede Trond Anderson found the Latics' defence asleep and after Jason Euell's strike was blocked Hartson stroked home the loose ball.

The 25-year-old, whose form seems to have returned since his move to Rangers fell through, netted what will possibly be his simplest chance of the season.

Jolt

The early blow however seemed to jolt the hosts into life.

After Hartson had been booked for a late challenge on Kevin Sharp, Kevin Nicholls's 30-yard free kick left Dons' keeper Kelvin Davis having to use all of his 6ft 1in frame to prevent and equaliser.

On the half-hour mark diminutive left winger Brian McLaughlin left Dons' defender Mark Williams for dead as he tore into a dangerous position inside the penalty box.

His perfectly-weighted cross should have been converted by Scott Green but he completely mistimed his header.

Green did better nine minutes later, when his pinpoint cross from the left found Latic's top scorer Simon Haworth, but the 23-year-old's first time volley soared high into the stand.

Green, again, should have done better when put clear two minutes before the interval, but he checked his run and his curling 20-yard shot was too tame and was collected comfortably by Davis.

Sparse

At the other end, clear-cut chances were sparse with the home defence performing well after their early blunder.

Hartson, who was involved in most of the visitors' more positive moments, put Euell through with a delicate lay-off but Euell's first touch took him too wide and the opportunity of doubling the lead was snuffed out.

In the 61st minute Wigan's entertaining play was finally rewarded and they levelled after a period when the Dons looked to be gaining a tighter rein on the game.

Green supplied Howarth on the right, and the former Coventry City man slammed his seventh goal of the season past Kelvin Davis.

Back in front

But virtually from the restart celebrations from the home fans were halted as Euell found Gayle with a superb, defence-splitting pass that made a mockery of the visitors' reputation for route one football, and the Jamaican international made no mistake in rounding Derek Stillie to put the visitors back in front.

The game had burst into life, becoming an end-to-end encounter, and the Latics were almost back on level terms.

Green's effort from the right bounced high in front of keeper Davis who was almost deceived by the unexpected movement, but managed to gather the ball in time.

The game then turned into a mostly midfield battle, as well as some frantic clearing from the visitors' defence but they held out to ensure that their name went into the hat for the next round.

[ --- news.bbc.co.uk]