Magpies steal Latics’ thunder with late brace

NOTTS COUNTY caused a major upset at the DW Stadium as two late goals saw them defeat Wigan and book a place in the FA Cup fifth round.

Having survived a series of Wigan attempts on goal, League Two County took a shock lead with 15 minutes to go as Stephen Hunt headed home Ben Davies’ corner and Gary Caldwell then scored an own goal three minutes later to leave the home side stunned and County looking forward to a trip to Fulham in a week on Sunday.

Wigan’s Jason Scotland wasted the best opportunity of the opening 45 minutes, shooting straight at Kasper Schmeichel when put through one-on-one in the 11th minute.

The Latics then dominated the early part of the second half and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored. But with 15 minutes left, the County fans were on their feet as their team took a shock lead.

Stephen Hunt was the goalscorer, meeting Davies’ corner in the 75th minute with a crashing header.

Suddenly the tie had a completely different complexion, and before Wigan knew what was happening, they had conceded again as Davies’ cross bounced in off Caldwell with 12 minutes remaining.

Gomez tried to hit back with a drive that went high and wide but County almost made it 3-0 shortly afterwards as substitute Luke Rodgers flashed a shot narrowly over.

Meanwhile, Danny Butterfield’s stunning six-minute hat-trick for Crystal Palace dumped Wolves out of the FA Cup, winning 3-1 at Selhurst Park.

The defender turned striker, who scored just one goal in his previous six seasons, hit a second-half treble to secure administration-hit Crystal Palace a lucrative visit from Aston Villa in the fifth round. Karl Henry pulled one back with a minute to go, but Mick McCarthy’s Wolves must now concentrate on avoiding relegation.