Fleetwood Town 3 Wigan Athletic 2: Joey Barton's players battle back for Carabao Cup victory

Joey Barton’s side had come from two goals down to claim a hard-fought victory against their fellow League One rivals.

The striker pulled a goal back in the 40th minute, moments after replacing Ged Garner, before netting the winner 13 minutes from time.

Barton named the same side which beat Carlisle United in midweek with new signing Mark Duffy, who joined on Friday, among the substitutes.

Fleetwood endured a nightmare start to the game after Wigan took the lead in just the second minute.

Defender Adam Long, one of a number of Wigan players making their debut, sent the ball to the left flank, where it was picked up by Tom Pearce.

His cross into the box was met by captain Joe Garner at the back post, who slotted the ball past Fleetwood goalkeeper Joel Coleman.

The visitors nearly doubled their lead when new signing Viv Solomon-Otabor sent the ball in for Gary Roberts, who found Garner, but his effort was stopped by Coleman.

Josh Morris’ effort was saved well by Wigan goalkeeper Jamie Jones, the rebound falling to Harvey Saunders who sent the ball well over the crossbar.

It was end-to-end action as Wigan nearly scored again when Lee Evans found Garner who he fired wide.

Garner was in the thick of the action moments later after he was bundled over in the box, with referee Seb Stockbridge pointing to the spot.

Garner stepped up and sent Coleman the wrong way to double the visitors’ advantage.

It was perhaps a surprise that the visitors were in front, such has been the turmoil at the club.

Wigan, who were relegated from the Championship, saw Paul Cook quit and were forced to sell most of their first-team squad, having entered administration earlier in the summer.

It meant manager Leam Richardson fielded two teenagers in central defenders Long and Emeka Obi.

Their lack of experience proved to be a boost for Fleetwood with Ched Evans giving the youngsters a torrid time.

The forward pulled a goal back when he met Wes Burns' pinpoint cross and headed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.

The Cod Army started the second half in the ascendency as they upped the pressure on their visitors.

Wigan, however, withstood it and twice went close through Solomon-Otabor and Roberts.

Fleetwood endured a blow in the 57th minute when summer signing Coleman went down after taking a free-kick, seemingly clutching his hamstring, with Alex Cairns replacing him.

However, they drew level seven minutes later as Danny Andrew played a ball over the top to Josh Morris, who fired it past Jones from 12 yards.

Morris almost had his second soon afterwards but his shot was deflected wide of the target.

Goalscorer turned provider when his corner was played to the back post, where Ched Evans powered a header past Jones to complete the comeback.

Fleetwood Town: Coleman (Cairns 57), Burns, Holgate, Hill, Andrew, Camps, Coutts, Whelan, Saunders (Duffy 46), Garner (C Evans 40), J Morris. Subs not used: Rydel, Matete, Johnston, S Morris.

Wigan Athletic: Jones, Byrne, Obi, Long, Pearce, L Evans, Merrie (Crankshaw 83), Naismith, Roberts (Gardner 73), Solomon-Otabor, Garner. Subs not used: Joseph, Perry, O Evans, Jolley, Webber.

Referee: Seb Stockbridge.