Wigan score latest goal in EFL history after 20 minutes of stoppage time
Wigan Athletic scored what is believed to be the latest recorded goal in the history of the EFL, sealing victory over Wycombe Wanderers at the end of 20 added minutes following a referee-caused delay.
Just days earlier, Oli McBurnie's equaliser for Sheffield United against West Ham - converted with 102 minutes on the clock - set a new top-flight record. Wigan left it much later, though, with Charlie Hughes breaking Wycombe hearts in the 110th minute.
The delay at the DW Stadium on Tuesday night came after referee Adam Herczeg suffered an injury 10 minutes into the second half. When the board went up for added time at the end of the game, it showed a minimum of 19 minutes, and more than that had been played when Hughes found the net.
That was the only goal of the game, helping seal a second successive 1-0 league win for the Latics. Shaun Maloney's side are now unbeaten in their last five League One games, though the run was interrupted by their FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United.
Referee Herczeg was unable to continue after being caught up in a collision between players from the two sides and appearing to take a blow to the head. Fourth official Steven Rushton eventually took over, after calls for a qualified official in the crowd to take over fourth official duties in turn, and it looked for all the world as though Rushton would end up overseeing a goalless draw.
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In the dying embers of the game, though, Wigan sent a free-kick in from deep and Wycombe were unable to clear their lines. Callum McManaman found space for a cross with some trickery out on the right, and Hughes met his delivery with a pinpoint volley to send the home fans wild.
Some 19 minutes and 50 seconds were shown on the clock when the ball hit the back of the net, and it will have been tough to take for the visitors. The three points were enough to lift Wigan into the top half, while Wycombe stay 17th, four points clear of the relegation zone.
What is the latest goal you have ever seen? Let us know in the comments section
Charlie Hughes volleyed home in the 20th minute of stoppage time (Getty Images)“It is a huge win for us again,” Latics boss Maloney told club media. “After the Reading victory, we had to go again, and it was a difficult match. We tried to be as creative as we could and control the ball, and Wycombe are really dangerous.
“We had to try and keep the ball, and the credit goes to the players. I thought the players were brilliant and they persevered.
“I’ve been involved at this Club where we’ve had games like this, and I thought the players and fans were brilliant. I know the fans have to stay patient and a lot understand the DNA we are trying to bring back.
“Sometimes we get it right in the final third, sometimes we don’t. I heard the fans supporting us when we really needed them, and I thought the players were brilliant tonight in a difficult match."
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