Losing 2-1 going into injury time, AFC Emley pressed Wigan Robin Park hard for an equalizer. Substitute Anthony Haigh tapped home perhaps the easiest goal he’ll ever score from around a yard out to set up a would-be replay. But thoughts of Tuesday travel plans were premature.

As the injury time minutes ticked on, the drama wasn’t over. When visiting captain Craig Haynes handled the ball in the area, skipper Paul Sykes stepped up to drill home emphatically from the penalty spot sending his team mates, bench and the bumper crowd into a frenzy. It was despair for Wigan who were exasperated by the seemingly inexplicable duration of added time.

Seconds later, the game was over and AFC Emley through, dumping a third North West Counties Premier Division side out of a cup competition within two seasons; another higher league scalp.

The game didn’t start well for AFC Emley, who found themselves a goal down after just 2 minutes. Wigan’s Paul Cliff scoring with a free kick, leaving Danny Armitage in the Emley goal helpless and wondering if this was the start of a rout at the hands of higher-placed opposition.

Thankfully the early set-back didn’t affect Emley as they set about returning parity to the scoreline. Doran Jordan had a penalty appeal waved away and Brighton Mugadza provided good service from the left wing.

The Robin’s had chances to double their lead with the striking partnership of Cliff and Connor Murphy giving the Emley defence plenty to think about. However, Sykes and Ryan Brook were equal to the challenge.

The scores were level on 32 minutes with Alex Hallam’s third goal in the three opening fixtures. A corner from Liam Schofield evaded everyone in the box to end up with Sykes on the by-line at the back post, his cross broke to Hallam close to the penalty spot, who made no mistake in levelling the tie.

The home side gained confidence from the equalizer and dominated the remainder of the first half. Jordan drew a sharp save from a shot created from nothing and had another penalty claim turned down as he attempted to pick-up the rebound. Mugadza blazed a ricochet above the bar after Aaron Joseph forced Daniel Lever into another save. Schofield went close too, a trademark left-foot blockbuster going just over.

Into the second-half and Emley were 2-1 down on 51 minutes. Again, the Wigan Robin Park goal came from a free kick. Whether it hit the net direct or grazed a player on the way through, it was claimed by Cliff to notch up his second of the game.

Once again, conceding spurred Emley into great endeavours going forward but ‘keeper Lever was equal to efforts from Mugadza, Hallam and Joseph.

As Emley chased an equaliser for a second time, Wigan tried in vain to exploit the gaps and it was the incredible injury time comeback that sealed the cup upset. Haigh’s tap in after a Hallam cross and a rare Lever mistake then Sykes’ penalty sets up a visit to the Emley captain’s former club Ossett Town in the Preliminary Round.

AFC Emley: Armitage, Leech, Schofield, Joseph, Brook, Sykes, Tunacliffe (Ingham, 84), Jordan (McIntosh, 72), Crossfield (Haigh, 70), Mugadza, Hallam

Subs not used: Irving, Townend, Day

Booked: Tunnacliffe, Leech

AFC Emley goals: Hallam (32 mins), Haigh (90+2), Sykes (pen, 90+7)

Man of the Match: Brighton Mugadza

Attendance: 252