30 mins: Holt shot 0-1

32 mins: Redmond penalty 0-2

Half time: Latics 2 Magpies 0

65 mins: McLaughlin shot 1-2

Full time: Latics 2 Magpies 1

United's second string tasted defeat away from home for the first time this season on Tuesday afternoon, when they went down by the odd goal in three at a soggy Robin Park.

Two goals in three minutes from the 'Latics proved to be enough, despite Newcastle pulling one back through Patrick McLaughlin in the closing stages of the game.

Coach Peter Beardsley - without assistant Steve Stone today - saw Steven Taylor make a successful comeback after almost four months on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, the defender completing an hour of what was his first reserve appearance in six years without incident.
 
And Taylor's substitution saw another injury victim get some pitch time, defender Dan Leadbitter coming off the bench for his first reserve involvement since last March.

United started fairly brightly and close to opening the scoring after ten minutes, when Faroe Islander Joan Edmundsson struck the 'Latics crossbar with a header following Shane Ferguson's centre from the left flank.

However the home side went ahead on the half hour, when midfielder Joe Holt's left-footed shot beat Ole Soderberg in the Newcastle goal. And with the rain falling heavily, Wigan doubled their lead almost from the restart. James Tavernier fouled Daniel Redmond in the box and the former Everton junior got up to convert the resultant penalty. 

Into the second half and United made one change, with midfielder Patrick McLaughlin replacing Edmundsson. Tavernier quickly picked up a booking, but fortunately hadn't been penalised for his first half infringement.

The Magpies then halved the deficit with 12 minutes to play, when Paddy McLaughlin shot home from 16 yards after Wigan 'keeper Lee Nicholls had blocked a shot. However there wasn't to be a late Toon leveller in the manner of the recent first team meeting between these two sides and Wigan comfortably held on for the three points that takes them joint top of the table with United.

That's now five second string appearances at Robin Park for United and still they await their first win:

2005/06 drew 1-1 Chopra (pen)
2006/07 drew 1-1 Godsmark
2007/08 lost 0-2
2008/09 lost 1-2 Ranger
2010/11 lost 1-2 McLaughlin

Biffa

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