Millwall 0-2 Wigan Athletic

The Premier League side took the lead through Shaun Maloney in the 25th minute before Callum McManaman doubled their tally 12 minutes from the end.

Millwall had been pressing hard for an equaliser in the build-up to McManaman’s decisive second strike, a goal which ultimately knocked the stuffing out of the battling Championship outfit.

Kenny Jackett made two changes from the side which lost 2-1 at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

James Henry was declared fit to start having made his return from injury from the bench in that Owls defeat, while Andy Keogh came in for Rob Hulse, who was among the substitutes.

Millwall’s main injury doubt in the run up to the game had been Liam Trotter, but he too was on the bench.

Keogh had an early opportunity but he headed wide from Shane Lowry’s delivery and then Wigan went close at the other end as Mark Beevers threw his body in the way to block a Jordi Gomez drive.

Wigan had several early corners but Millwall countered from one, a move which ended with Henry curling a shot behind.

David Forde came out to deny Arouna Kone, who was tackled seconds before pulling the trigger by Beevers.

And the Millwall keeper made an even better stop to put behind McManaman’s 20 yard shot for a corner as Wigan continued to press in the opening exchanges.

Sean St Ledger was cautioned midway through the first half after going in late with a challenge on McManaman.

But Wigan were rewarded for their early dominance when they took the lead on 25 minutes.

Kone’s excellent pass picked out an unmarked Maloney inside the area, who swept a low shot beyond Forde.

Henry was well challenged by Gomez inside the box just as he was about to line up a shot and then Paul Scharner saw his volley caught by Forde.

Chris Taylor rose high to meet Henry’s corner but his attempt was blocked and wigan scrambled the danger clear.

Jack Smith was unlucky not to get on the end of Chris Taylor’s 35th minute delivery, while Forde made another fine save to prevent Gomez’s 18 yard curler doudling Wigan’s advantage three minutes before the break.

McManaman cut inside both Alan Dunne and Jimmy Abdou five minutes into the second ha;lf before lining up a shot that flew just over the bar.

Henry saw a 59th minute free-kick go agonisingly over after Chris Taylor had been tripped just outside of the D.

Jean Beausejour was replaced by James McArthur on the hour by Roberto Martinez.

Keogh was unable to get a decent connection with Alan Dunne’s cross and then Sharner applied a crucial last touch on Beevers’ header as Millwall enjoyed a decent spell.

Danny Shittu headed over from the corner before Jackett made his first alteration midway through the half by taking off Jack Smith for Hulse.

Keogh had a penalty claim ignored after bursting into the box and firing straight at a Wigan defender and then came a second Lions change as Abdou made way for Trotter.

Gomez fired into the side-netting after being picked out by the ever dangerous McManaman but there was to be no mistake on 78 minutes when the duo combined again for Wigan’s decisive second goal.

Gomez threaded a low pass through for McManaman, who took the ball past Forde before sliding a low shot into the net.

Forde did well eight minutes later to block Kone’s but the game was being overshadowed by a minority of Millwall fans fighting among themselves behind the goal, action which drew boos from the majority of Lions supporters.

There was still time for a late cameo for Shaun Batt who came on for Keogh, but Wigan comfortably ran down the clock to end Millwall’s cup dream.

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Millwall: Forde, Dunne, Shittu, Beevers, Lowry, Abdou (Trotter 72), St Ledger, J Smith (Hulse 67), Henry, Keogh (Batt 89), C Taylor. Subs not used: M Taylor, Tyson, A Smith, Osborne. Att: 62,335.