MACEO Rigters hit a fine brace and Amine Linganzi scores as Rovers Reserves defeat Wigan Athletic 3-0.

The former Dutch under 21 international scored two first half goals to put Rovers in command before Linganzi struck late to score his first goal in Rovers colours.

Yildiray Basturk put in another impressive display as he played just under 80 minutes for Rovers.

With a strong line-up Iain Brunskill's side started on top with the Turkish international playing a key role early on, a Franco Di Santo cross from the right picked out Basturk who let fly with an overhead kick, but his 6th minute effort was cleared off the line.

Whilst Rovers had experience in their midfield and forward positions, in defence it was youth who took centre stage. The back four featuring a Reserve debut for central defender Anthony O'Connor, who lined up alongside fellow under 18 Grant Hanley, whilst Jackson Ramm was deployed in an unfamiliar left back position but acquitted himself superbly. Callum O'Connor was the only defender with any experience but his match ended after just 20 minutes when he sustained a shoulder injury. That meant another Reserve debutant with Matthew Pearson coming on to replace.

Four minutes later and Rovers were in front, swift passing saw the ball shifted wide right to Amine Linganzi and his cross was headed home by Maceo Rigters for his second goal of the season.

Tomasz Cywka shot wide for the home side, but it was Rovers who always looked the side likely to grab the second and it duly arrived on the stroke of half-time as Rigters faced clear to latch onto a through ball from Linganzi to finish with aplomb.

Franco Di Santo fired wide at the start of the second half, whilst at the other end Jake Kean dived backwards to stop the ball from crossing the line as Wigan substitute Jordan Rugg shot in a scramble.

Wigan started to see more of the ball, but chances were at a premium as the youthful back four kept the Wigan attackers at bay.

Yildiray Basturk played 78 minutes, the midfielder having another lively match, but it was his fellow January transfer window signing Amine Linganzi who had the final say, combining brilliantly with Rigters to play a one-two before despatching the ball into the corner of the goal.

Rigters almost grabbed a hat-trick but put his header from a Pearson cross over, whilst a strong tackle from Grant Hanley ensured Rovers would keep a clean sheet on a satisfactory evening for the Reserves.

WIGAN: Nicholls, Morris, Redmond, Mustoe, Meace, Routledge (c) (sub Breeze 88 mins), Kupisz, Holt, McManaman, Cywka, Bouaouzan (sub Rugg 56 mins).

Subs not used: Jukes, Williams, Mayer.

ROVERS: Kean, C. O'Connor (sub Pearson 20 mins), Ramm, Hanley, A. O'Connor, Grella (c), Blackman, Linganzi, Di Santo (sub Santa Cruz 83 mins), Basturk (sub Potts 78 mins), Rigters.

Subs not used: Swann (GK), Banton.