WANDERERS had not faced their local rivals Wigan Athletic in five years, and never in the top flight of English football.
But in October 2005 that all changed – with Paul Jewell’s newly-promoted Latics facing Sam Allardyce’s league of nations at what was then called the JJB Stadium.
Wanderers’ side contained 10 different nationalities on the day and started well as Kevin Davies – one of two Englishmen alongside Kevin Nolan – thundered into a challenge with Pascal Chimbonda that forced the Frenchman off the pitch.
But Wigan soon gained the ascendancy after half time as Henri Camara, the Senegalese striker who would later become a target for the Whites, and then Lee McCulloch gave the home side a 2-0 lead.
Radhi Jaidi produced a quick response, heading home a cross from sub Stelios, but Wanderers failed to equalise despite a couple of late chances for El-Hadji Diouf.
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