Connolly piles more doom on sorry Toon

Wigan 1 Newcastle 0

It appeared it would be one of those nights at the JJB Stadium as the Latics’ mostly second-string outfit - Jewell having made nine changes - conjured chance after chance without reward.

But, with extra-time looming, referee Steve Bennett pointed to the spot when Jason Roberts was held in the area by Robbie Elliott, allowing Connolly to beat Republic of Ireland team-mate Shay Given.

Against a strong Newcastle line-up, with three changes made to the side beaten 1-0 at Everton on Sunday, Wigan looked far from out of place.

Souness has surely not witnessed such a one-sided affair for some time as Wigan totally dominated the opening 45 minutes, and the majority of the second, with their superiority underlined in the first half by a corner count of 11-0.

Yet, via a combination of superb goalkeeping from Given - although he was lucky to get away with dropping the ball at two of those corners - and woeful finishing, the Magpies somehow headed into the break on level terms.

Jewell’s side should have opened the scoring inside 60 seconds, with Connolly delivering a low ball into the near post where a fast-arriving McCulloch sidefooted wide.

That was the story of the first half, though, as chances went begging at regular intervals, with McCulloch then denied in the 15th minute by a full-stretch, fingertip save from Given.

Following that, Johansson twice spurned opportunities, with the second of those more clear cut as he failed to connect cleanly with a delightful Taylor cross from the right, albeit while under pressure from Peter Ramage.

After Thome received an accidental whack in the face on the half hour from Scott Parker, with the experienced Stephane Henchoz his replacement, Wigan then proceeded to get closer and closer.

In the 34th minute, McCulloch came within inches of breaking the deadlock as an angled drive shaved the crossbar before Nolberto Solano cleared a Matt Jackson header off the line soon after.

Then came a moment that summed up Wigan’s half as Given first blocked a low McCulloch drive, yet with the goal gaping as he followed in for the rebound, Connolly scuffed the loose ball into the grateful arms of his Republic comrade.

When the interval came it was a blessed relief for Newcastle, affording them a breather and chance to regroup.

The break undoubtedly knocked Wigan out of their stride as they struggled to regain the earlier firm footing they had so clearly enjoyed.

Newcastle’s first chance materialised in the 48th minute, with Parker inches wide of the right-hand post with a first-time drive from the edge of the area.

A number of corners followed before Emre then came closest of all midway in the second half by cracking the base of the left -hand post with a raking 25-yard drive.

Yet Wigan soon regained the upper hand, only for more shake-of-the-head moments.

Henchoz initially picked out a marauding Teale down the right wing who in turn played in Connolly for a miscue from eight yards, yet into the path of Mahon who proceeded to hit the sidenetting when it appeared easier to score.

Yet Wigan’s luck appeared to be right out as Given then brilliantly saved from Roberts, who had earlier replaced Johansson, before Faye blocked McCulloch’s searing drive from point-blank range on the rebound.

But, with the extra 30 minutes on the cards, Bennett intervened and Connolly made no mistake to further add to Souness’ woes.

WIGAN: Pollitt, Taylor, Jackson, Thome (Henchoz 30), McMillan (Baines 45), McCulloch, Teale, Skoko, Mahon, Connolly, Johansson (Roberts 69).

NEWCASTLE: Given, Ramage, Boumsong, Elliott, N’Zogbia, Bowyer (Brittain 45), Parker, Solano, Emre (Faye 71), Shearer, Luque (Chopra 57).

Referee: S Bennett.