UEFA Europa League: Wigan Athletic 3 Maribor 1

Wigan Athletic claimed their first win in Europe as they overcame Maribor 3-1 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Teenager Nick Powell scored in either half, including the club’s first goal in European competition, sandwiching an effort from Ben Watson.

Marcos Tavares had pulled one back for the Slovenians before Powell doubled his tally but Wigan fully deserved their victory.

The Championship outfit climbed to second in Group D with the three points, while their visitors remain pointless at the foot of the standings.

Manager Owen Coyle made three changes to the Wigan side that lost 1-0 to Watford last Saturday, with experienced duo Emmerson Boyce and Jean Beausejour coming in to the mix.

The 47-year-old was unable to call on seasoned striker Marc-Antoine Fortune, though, after the 32-year-old limped off last weekend, with promising youngster Callum McManaman drafted in.

There was also a heavy focus on youth in new manager Ante Simundza’s selection, with young duo Damjan Bohar and Martin Milec handed starts.

It was the home side who started brightest, with 19-year-old Powell going one-on-one with goalkeeper Jasmin Handanovic in the seventh minute only to see his attempted lob well saved by the Slovenian.

The visitors spurned a fine opportunity of their own 10 minutes later as Goran Cvijanovic shot wide when well placed on the edge of the box.

And he was made to rue his missed chance soon after as Powell pounced on a poor clearance from Handanovic to sweep home the loose ball with 22 minutes gone.

The hosts doubled their lead 11 minutes before the interval when Beausejour’s superb cross was headed in by midfielder Watson.

The start of the second half saw the visitors get more of a foothold in the game, but they still left Scott Carson untested and it was Wigan who looked more likely to add to their tally.

Powell almost grabbed his second in the 54th minute but his effort from Beausejour’s delivery struck the post.

And just five minutes later, Maribor reduced the deficit after good work from Jean-Philippe Mendy was rewarded by Tavares’ confident close-range finish.

Simundza made three late changes in an attempt to rally his side to an unlikely comeback, but after Carson had clawed away Tavares’ powerful strike, Powell did net his second, darting past three players before coolly beating the keeper.