Kid Connolly answers Joyce’s Call for help

LOANEE Callum Connolly went straight into Latics’ starting line-up and straight into the hearts of their fans.

The teenage right-back signed from Everton less than an hour before kick-off, then rifled in a bullet header on the stroke of half-time – and repeated the feat to double Warren Joyce’s men’s advantage in the second half.

Having kept his side in the game twice during the first half with vital interventions, it was the experienced Stephen Warnock who set up the chance for Wigan’s opener.

His teasing left-wing cross was headed home by Connolly in the only minute of first-half stoppage-time.

Connolly grabbed his second of the game after 64 minutes rising to meet Michael Jacobs’ corner and guiding the ball past substitute keeper Stephen Bywater into the far corner to put the game to bed.

“It’s a great win but it’s just three points and there is still a long way to go in the season,” said Joyce.

“There are still 60 points at stake so it’s an important three points but it would have been whoever we would have been playing.”

Connolly has been on Joyce’s radar for some time and made a dramatic impact on his debut for the club.

“He’s a player I’ve known about for a long time.” Joyce said.

“Every credit to the kid, enthusiasm and bravery gets us the points today.”

Brewers boss Nigel Clough cut a gloomy figure after a fourth consecutive home defeat.

“It’s a frustrated dressing room because we have given away two of the softest goals we have all season,” he said.

“It’s tough for the players to pick themselves up but we have to.”