Rangers stole a late goal against Wigan to pick up three points against the league leaders.

An 86^th minute header from Paul Furlong was enough to condemn Wigan to their second straight defeat despite an organised display from the visitors for the majority of the game.

Rangers had been lucky to go in at half time with the scores still at 0-0 after Wigan had seen the better chances in front of goal, but the Rs had somehow kept them locked out.

Then a much improved second half display from Ian Holloway's men brought a deserved finale courtesy of the Superhoops' leading scorer.

Ian Holloway was able to offer Gareth Ainsworth a place in the starting eleven for the first time in three months and Marcus Bignot returned from his one match suspension meaning Frankie Simek dropped to the bench.

Marcus Bean partnered Kevin Gallen in the centre of midfield due to Marc Bircham serving a one match ban.

Rangers set out to achieve what only Plymouth have managed this season, to take three points of off table topping Wigan. But with the deadly duo of Jason Roberts and Nathan Ellington up front for the Latics, this was always going to be tough.

The opening exchanges saw Roberts give Rangers a taster of just how much of a handful he could be when he raced to the by-line and cut the ball back into the box. Thankfully, the ever-ready Georges Santos was on hand to sweep the ball away into midfield.

Gareth Ainsworth was proving to be his usual bulldozing self as he tore up and down the right wing, skilfully switching in his ability to defend and then attack.

Rangers had their first scare at the back when Nathan Ellington stormed through the middle of the park and had only Chris Day to beat, only to send his shot straight at the keeper.

As play then swung to the other end, Paul Furlong had a chance to put Rangers ahead. Marcus Bean did well to hold off his man on the wing and sent in a perfectly placed ball for Furlong, but Rangers' leading marksman failed to get his header on target.

Furlong had yet another chance as Jamie Cureton made his way to the by-line and squared for his strike partner, but he couldn't get his shot on target and was hustled wide by his marker.

Dan Shittu was then on hand at the other end when Jimmy Bullard swept the ball into the danger area, only to see it charged down and cleared by the big man at the back.

Rangers were living dangerously at the back and the Roberts-Ellington partnership was beginning to weave its magic.

Guiding the ball along the by-line, Ellington looked up to spot his partner well placed and played him in. Somehow though, the man with ten goals this season skewed his shot well wide if the target.

A midfield mix-up between Matthew Rose and Marcus Bean then saw Roberts pick up a loose ball and play in the unmarked Nicky Eaden. His strike on goal skipped across the grass and looked certain to nestle in the back of the net, but somehow Rangers were let off again as it rolled past the far post.

The second half began in the same vein as the first with Wigan superior in their organisation and physically dominant.

Once again they looked certain to score when Roberts went through on goal and sent his shot beyond Day, but once again, beyond the post. The Latics just weren't getting the rub of the green in front of goal.

Seconds later it was Rangers who could have take the lead. Lee Cook slipped the ball into Marcus Bignot's path as the right back bore down on goal. Bignot's effort was goalbound, but John Filan was well positioned at his near post to save.

On the hour, Rangers started to look livelier up front and started to create chances in front of goal. Cook's high ball for Furlong caught Wigan on the hop and Furlong burst through to hammer the ball just wide of the far post.

Ian Holloway then made a tactical change, bringing off Ainsworth and sending Kevin McLeod on up front with Jamie Cureton switching to the right hand side of midfield.

Chris Day then pulled off a wonder save to deny Alan Mahon as his free kick from out on the wing bent at a ridiculous angle to almost sneak in to the top far corner of the net. Thankfully, Day's alertness had him springing up to palm away the ball to maintain parity.

Another change saw Santos moved up front while Gino Padula replaced Lee Cook.

As the clock hit 80, McLeod received the ball from Furlong on the edge of the box and looked certain to score, but again goals were proving to be hard to come by in this game and the goal mouth failed to be threatened once again.

But then, against all the odds, Rangers took the lead against the table toppers thanks to the combined work of McLeod and Furlong.

A blistering run from McLeod down the left wing and a pinpoint ball onto Furlong's head took a deft flick from the leading marksman to send the ball into the back of the net.

A tense last few minutes and two minutes injury time were real edge of the seat stuff, but Rangers kept their cool to wrap up a truly thrilling win.

The three points now sees Holloway's men back up in fifth place.




Rangers: Day, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Gallen, Ainsworth (McLeod 63), Cureton, Bean, Cook (Padula 75), Santos, Furlong

Subs: Branco, Gnohere, Simek

Scorers: Furlong 86

Wigan: Filan, Jackson, Breckin, Graham (Teale 76), Ellington, Mahon, Wright, Eaden, Bullard, Baines, Roberts

Subs: Walsh, McMillan, Flynn, Whalley

Att: 15,804

Referee: B Knight