FA Cup Upset: Wigan Athletic Stun Preston North End with Late Winner

10 January 2026 Sports Results

League One Side Causes Major FA Cup Shock

Latics progress into the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup following a superb victory against Championship side Preston North End, in a match that saw League One Wigan Athletic triumph 1-0 at Deepdale on 9 January 2026. The result represents a significant upset in English football’s most historic cup competition, with the visitors defeating a side sitting 35 places above them in the league pyramid.

Bettoni’s Moment of Magic Seals Victory

Teenager Harrison Bettoni scored the winning goal for League One side Wigan Athletic in their FA Cup third-round victory against Championship promotion-chasers Preston North End. A match short on goalmouth action for long periods was settled with 15 minutes remaining when Bettoni cut inside from the right wing and his left-footed strike deflected into the net off Andrew Hughes. The 18-year-old’s fourth goal of the season proved decisive in what was a winning return to Deepdale for Wigan’s ex-Preston boss Ryan Lowe.

Drama in the Closing Stages

The match was not without late drama. The Latics missed a glorious opportunity to double their lead when Callum Wright cleared the crossbar with a penalty, following Pol Valentin’s foul on Maleace Asamoah inside the area. Despite the missed penalty, goalkeeper Sam Tickle made an exceptional save to keep out Alfie Devine’s glancing header and Brad Potts – who turned home the rebound – was judged to be offside, preserving Wigan’s slender advantage.

Significance for Both Sides

Paul Heckingbottom’s side will enter the match off the back of successive victories over Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City, with the results moving them into fourth spot in the Championship table, making the defeat particularly disappointing for Preston. For Wigan, the FA Cup winners in 2013, had required penalty shootouts to get past non-league Hemel Hempstead Town and fourth-tier Barrow in the first two rounds but Bettoni’s winner meant they avoided that eventuality. This victory provides a much-needed boost for the Latics, who now advance to the fourth round where they will hope to continue their cup journey and build momentum for their league campaign.