FA Cup: Wigan 0 Bolton 1

Ivan Klasnic’s second-half strike has sent Bolton Wanderers into the fifth round of the FA Cup after they beat Wigan 1-0 on Wednesday.

The fourth-round replay and local derby was played in front of just 7,515 fans, with Wigan supporters going home disappointed after their side missed out on a date with a fifth-round Fulham on Sunday.

Both managers made wholesale changes for the clash, with only Gary Caldwell and Mohamed Diame surviving from Wigan’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the English Premier League on Saturday as part of Roberto Martinez’s shuffled line-up.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle made six himself, with new addition Lee Chung-Yong shooting just wide in the second minute. Johan Elmander then had a goal disallowed after he followed up Martin Petrov’s parried strike.

David Wheater – an injury replacement for Zat Knight on Sunday in Bolton’s 2-0 win against Everton – went close to scoring an own goal but his sliced clearance was saved by goalkeeper Adam Bodgan, while Klasnic should have done better when he was one-on-one with Wigan custodian Mike Pollitt.

Klasnic then completely missed the ball when a chance fell to him while unmarked.

Bolton continued to surge forward, with Petrov’s volley forcing Pollitt into a good save while Elmander’s free-kick struck the inside of the post and rolled across the goal-line but did not go in.

Wigan’s Callum McManaman and Bolton’s Sam Ricketts were both forced off due to injury on either side of half-time and, while Wanderers fluffed more chances courtesy of Klasnic and a horrific first touch from Fabrice Muamba, they eventually got their goal.

A brilliant run from midfielder Mark Davies in the 68th minute set up Klasnic and the Croatian made up for his previous misses by firing past Pollitt.

Wigan fought to get themselves back into the game and Diame had a potential equaliser correctly ruled out while Jordi Gomez hit the post late on.

But Bolton held on for the victory and ensured they travel south to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the fifth round of the competition on Sunday.