Powell soars to head Wigan into promotion picture
NICK POWELL, the Wigan star once signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for £4million, lifted his team into the play-off places with a superb second-half goal. The ex-Manchester United man rose to meet a brilliantly judged right-wing cross from Josh Windass after 51 minutes with a downward header that gave Niki Maenpaa no chance in the visitors’ goal. It was midfielder Powell’s fourth goal of the season, following the 15 he netted in Wigan’s promotion from League One last term, and an indication of why Fergie signed him from Crewe for Manchester United half a dozen years ago. But it was another disappointing evening for Lee Johnson’s visitors, who made a strong promotion bid early last season and had a fourmatch winning run before losing at West Bromwich in midweek. Bristol should have led after only six minutes following a disastrous back-pass by Wigan full back Antonee Robinson. That was intercepted by Andreas Weimann, who raced clear only to be denied by Cedric Kipre’s covering tackle. Michael Jacobs and Powell threatened with half-chances but the visitors remained a threat on the break and Weimann played in Famara Diedhiou only for his teammate to see a selfish shot blocked. Bristol also forced a series of late first-half corners, with Lloyd Kelly heading one straight at Wigan keeper Christian Walton. And Wigan could have been down to 10 men before the break, after a high challenge by Joe Garner caught Adam Webster — the striker escaped with a yellow. But Paul Cook’s side grew in confidence after taking the lead and the impressive Windass cut in from the left before sending an 18-yard shot just wide soon after. An ugly, but accidental, clash of heads added to Johnson’s woes as his defender Tomas Kalas required lengthy treatment before being helped off, although there was still time for Diedhiou to head a simple chance straight at the keeper in the fifth minute of time added on.