Mellon's triumphant return to Tranmere

Latics booked their spot in the FA Cup second round thanks to a superb 2-1 win at Tranmere

Sub Jesurun Uchegbulam scored within three minutes of his second half arrival as National League high-fliers Latics completed a 2-1 comeback win to dump League Two Tranmere out of the FA Cup.

Uchegbulam’s 61st-minute angled shot was deflected beyond Rovers goalkeeper Luke McGee.

The visitors, twice competition semi-finalists in the 1990s but now fifth in the game’s fifth tier, were good value for victory – masterminded by former Prenton Park boss Micky Mellon.

Another Rovers old boy, James Norwood, put Latics back in contention after Connor Jennings' 50th goal for the club fired the home side – 19th in League Two – into a ninth-minute lead.

Backed by a 2,000-strong army of fans, Latics hit back six minutes before half-time.

Former Stoke and Hull midfielder Sam Clucas, 34, who had already had a debut goal direct from a corner mysteriously disallowed, assisted Norwood’s smartly struck leveller against a team he helped to back-to-back promotions and plundered 92 goals in 180 games for.

After Clucas was replaced, Uchegbulam struck his second goal of the season – and first since the opening day – to send Latics into the second round for the first time in four years.

The draw for the FA Cup second round takes place later today (Sunday).

Delighted Latics boss Mellon said: "The supporters...it was just ridiculous, that was just fantastic.

"That's what it's all about, they got right behind us, the players responded and it was a really good day."

Latics return to National League action on Saturday when they travel to Barnet.

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