MARK Hughes' first senior goal proved the highlight as Latics held on for victory against a plucky City side at Boundary Park.

The Northern Irish under-21 captain broke his duck inside four minutes, collecting a loose ball and firing past Steve Philips before embarking on a 60-yard celebration along the touchline.

Latics doubled their lead on 24 minutes as David Eyres fed Richie Wellens who cut inside two men before curling a shot in to the far corner.

By that time, City had gone close twice as Scott Murray headed against the bar and then saw Chris Day deny him after Danny Hall lost possession.

City halved their deficit three minutes after the break as Scott Brown lashed home from James Quinn's flick, but Chris Porter restored Latics' two-goal lead within eight minutes, heading in Eyres' free-kick.

Quinn brought City to within a goal with 12 minutes left as he fired home after Day saved his initial effort from Michael Bridges' long ball and Rob Scott's slip.

However, Andy Liddell appeared to have made the game safe on 87 minutes as he volleyed home Paul Edwards' long ball, only for Murray to make it an anxious last few minutes when he chipped Day two minutes into added time.

SATURDAY'S FA Cup first round draw saw Latics drawn away to either Blyth Spartans or Chasetown on November 5.

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