Pools dropped out of the Carling Cup this evening as Premier League opponents Wigan Athletic left The Vic with a 3-0 victory.

Mick Wadsworth's side battled hard throughout the game and made things difficult for Wigan but Pools failed to find the goals and it was the visitors who will see their names in the draw for Round Three.

It was a very disappoinng start to the game here for Pools as visitors forced an opener within the first three minutes of play.

A ball into the box caused confusion in the area and Sam Collins headed into his own net under pressure from Steve Caldwell.

The early goal rattled Pools and they struggled to find their shape to mount any kind of threat on the visiting back line.

Wigan adopted a patient approach, frustrating Pools and slowing the tempo of the game and it took Wadsworth's side a while to find their footing in the game.

But find their feet they did as Pools slowly forced their way back on the ball and began to test Ali Al Habsi in the visiting goal.

Paul Murray, who was industrious this evening in the centre of the field, sent a low drive at goal through a crowd of players which was held by the Wigan keeper, while the busy Joe Gamble threatened with two fierce strikes from distance.

Steve Haslam, strong at the back for Pools, got in a great challenge to deny Hugo Rodallega who had broke through from a Pools corner kick.

Scott Flinders also did his bit to keep things within reach for Pools as he saved well to deny Rodallega; the Wigan forward had broke forward again from a corner kick to go one-on-one with the keeper but Flinders showed a calm head to get down well and block the shot with his feet.

But it was Pools who looked the most threatening as the half time whistle approached and Andy Monkhouse looked set to draw things level just before the break. Good work down the right by the lively Antony Sweeney saw him whip a ball across the face of goal and while the defence cleared the danger, Monkhouse arrived just on cue to smash an effort at goal only to see his chance go just wide of target.

Pools worked hard throughout the forty-five, refused to sit back and made things difficult for Wigan but could not find a goal in the first forty-five to make it 1-1.

Wadsworth's team continued to plug away after the break, chasing Wigan and refusing to let the Premier League visitors rest in possession.

But Martinez's men began to look more confident as the time went by, spending more time on the ball and allowing Pools less chance to attack.

Wadsworth made two changes, introducing Colin Larkin and Denis Behan at he expense of James Brown and Adam Boyd who had enjoyed few breaks in the second half. But Pools were unable to re-find that real bite that had seen them threaten Wigan in the closing minutes of the first half and there was little to really test Al Habsi for much of the second period.

With 76 minutes on the clock though, Wigan made sure of their passage into the Third Round with an impressive freekick from Jordi Gomez. Gary Liddle was adjudged to have fouled jus outside of the area and Gomez stepped up and sent a great strike over the wall and Flinders and into the roof of the net.

A drilled finish from sub Victor Moses who cut in from the right to finish low into the bottom left corner of the net sealed the win for Wigan and Pools' exit from the competition.

It was a blow for Pools who had shown flashes of spark throughout the game but just failed to find that breakthrough to rattle the visitors and in the end it was comfortable for Wigan.

Now the attention turns to Saturday and a big League One clash with Sheffield Wednesday at The Vic, when Pools will be looking to continue their strong form to pick up the points.

Att: 3197 (142 Wigan Athletic)

Bookings: Pools - Liddle (90) Wigan Athletic - James McArthur (21), Al Habsi (71)

Pools: Flinders, Haslam, Collins, Liddle, Horwood, Sweeney, Gamble, Murray (McSweeney 77), Brown (Larkin 58), Boyd (Behan 67), Monkhouse
Subs Not Used: Rafferty, Humphreys, Hartley, Fredriksen

Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi, Alcaraz, Thomas, Watson, Boselli (N'Zogbia 79), Gomez, McArthur (McCarthy 66), Boyce, Rodallega (Moses 66), Figueroa, Caldwell
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Diame, Stam, Mustoe