Rovers Reserves' cup exploits for the season ended at the first hurdle as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic.

A young Rovers side were no match to a Wigan squad vastly more experienced as goals from Tomasz Cywka and Joe Holt saw the Latics progress at Robin Park.

The home side started brightly, James McCarthy firing across goal and wide on 13 minutes, but slowly Rovers started to impose themselves without ever creating a clear cut chance.

And they were to rue that just on the half hour when Wigan took the lead. Johnny Flynn's clearance striking Cywka and the Wigan forward capitalised by finding the back of the net.

Three minutes later Rovers had a similar chance when Julio Santa Cruz charged down a Wigan clearance, but the Paraguayan's tame effort was comfortably saved.

Cywka was denied by a great tackle by Gavin Gunning, whilst at the other end, following a teasing run from Marcus Marshall he found Aaron Doran in the area, but the Irishman was well tackled in the penalty area by Adam Buxton.

Five minutes into the second half Jason Lowe missed the chance to put Rovers back on level terms when he placed a Marshall cutback wide at the near post.

But it was a rare opportunity for Rovers as they struggled in the final third to create.

Wigan deservedly claimed a second goal on 67 minutes when Modeste M'Bami threaded a ball through for substitute Joe Holt and he beat Frank Fielding with a clever lob.

With the home side in command they were able to close out the game comfortably, a late Doran shot that saved the only time their goal was threatened in a disappointing Rovers display.

WIGAN: Nicholls, Buxton, Amaya, Langley, Edman (sub Mustoe 28 mins), M'Bami, Routledge, Kapo, McCarthy, Bouaouzan (sub McManaman 45 mins sub Holt 57 mins)), Cywka.

Subs not used: Williams, Lambert.

ROVERS: Fielding, Parry, Hall, Gunning, Flynn, Morrissey, Banton (sub Potts 64 mins), Lowe, Santa Cruz (sub Morris 80 mins), Doran, Marshall.

Subs not used: Kean, Hanley, Hitchcock.