Stoke City secured their place in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
A debut goal from Josh Maja and second half strike by substitute Jacob Brown was enough to beat the League One high-flyers.
Michael O’Neill’s side will now wait to find out who they will face in the next round of the competition when the draw is made at 11:40am on Monday.
The Potters started well on a cold afternoon in North Staffordshire and almost took an early.
Latics goalkeeper Jamie Jones inadvertently played the ball straight to Tyrese Campbell who steadied himself before seeing his effort deflect behind for a corner.
The early pressure eventually told with 15 minutes on the clock when Powell and Campbell combined, with the latter laying the ball off to Maja who duly fired home from 14 yards.
City looked in control of the contest, however it was the visitors who had the two best chances before the half time interval – Max Power’s deflected shot flew just over while Josh Magennis dragged wide from close range.
O’Neill’s charges had a couple of chances to extend their lead minutes into the second half, however Campbell fired wide from distance and Powell’s long-range free-kick was comfortably claimed by Jones.
Campbell was a real live wire for the Potters and he almost made it 2-0 with a looping effort which fell the wrong side of the upright.
The home side were almost punished moments before the hour mark when Gavin Massey capitalised on a loose ball, strode forward and fired straight at Joe Bursik.
The Latics went even closer when the clock hit 60 minutes when Tom Bayliss’ free-kick from tight angle clipped the top of the crossbar.
In an attempt to thwart the visitors’ momentum, O’Neill turned to his bench, bringing on Jacob Brown and Sam Clucas and the former made an immediate impact.
Campbell drove forward and laid the ball off to the Scotland international who coolly fired into the far corner of the net.
Wigan were reduced to ten men with 16 minutes remaining when Gwion Edwards picked up a second yellow is quick succession for stopping a City break.
The Potters could have added to their lead, however Tymon, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Steven Fletcher and Brown were unable to convert from inside the box.
—