The Saddlers have not played Wigan in over 11 years...
28th February 2004 – Wigan 1-0 Walsall – First Division2003/04 Season
Nathan Ellington scored the only goal as relegation-threatened Walsall slipped to a narrow defeat at play-off hopefuls Wigan. The Bradford-born striker netted with nine minutes remaining to settle a tight affair – stretching the Saddlers’ winless run to nine matches in all competitions.
Saddlers team: Walker, Emblen, Ritchie, Aranalde, Carbon (Bennett 70’), Bazeley, Osborn, Corica (Matias 73’), Taylor, Wales (Birch 82’), Leitao.
Subs not used: Petterson, Wright.
25th October 2003 – Walsall 2-0 Wigan – First Division
Darren Wrack’s double earned Ray Graydon’s side an impressive victory over the high-flying Latics. The long-serving midfielder broke the deadlock on 50 minutes, when he slotted under Wigan stopper John Filan. He converted a Chris Baird cross 16 minutes later to seal a welcome win for the hosts.
Saddlers team: Walker, Baird, Ritchie, Roper (Hay 52’), Vincent, Osborn, Merson, O’Neil, Samways (Lawrence 89’), Wrack, Birch (Leitao 82’).
Subs not used: Allaway, Emblen.
2nd February 2001 Wigan 1-1 Walsall – Second Division
2000/01 Season
Jorge Leitao’s stoppage-time header salvaged a precious point at promotion-rivals Wigan to keep the Saddlers top of the Second Division. Wigan, who would have climbed to the summit with a win, went ahead when Lee Ashcroft swept home on 35 minutes. Visiting keeper Jimmy Walker kept his side in the game, making fine stops to deny Ashcroft and Andy Liddell, before Leitao rescued a dramatic draw.
Saddlers team: Walker, Brightwell, Aranalde, Barras, Tilson, Bennett (Bukran 78’), Keates, Hall, Matias (Wrack 45’), Angell (Byfield 67’), Leitao.
Subs not used: Gadsby, Roper.
30th January 2001 – Walsall 2-1 Wigan – Football League Trophy
Ian Gaunt’s last-gasp goal booked Walsall’s place in the quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy. Gary Birch fired the Saddlers ahead on the stroke of half-time, only for Gino Padula to level proceedings just seconds later. The tie remained level until injury time, when Gaunt struck a timely winner. Walsall were knocked out by Stoke in the next round.
Saddlers team: Emberson, Barras (Roper 46’), Gadsby, Small, Scott, Wrack, Wright, Bukran (Ekelund 31’), Byfield, Birch (Hawley 67’), Gaunt.
Subs not used: Walker, Hunt.
2nd September 2000 – Walsall 2-0 Wigan – Second Division
Early goals from Jorge Leitao and Dean Keates sealed a fifth successive league victory for the promotion-chasing Saddlers. Portuguese striker Leitao notched his fourth of the campaign on ten minutes, and Keates poked home Walsall’s second goal five minutes later. Andy Liddell went closest for Wigan with a low drive which home keeper Jimmy Walker touched onto the post.
Saddlers team: Walker, Brightwell, Aranalde, Tilson, Barras, Hall, Wrack (Matias 55’), Keates, Bukran, Leitao (Bennett 83’), Angell (Byfield 69’).
Subs not used: Emberson, Roper.
30th January 1999 - Walsall 1-2 Wigan – Second Division
1998/99 Season
Stuart Barlow’s late goal gave Wigan their first, and to date, only win at the Banks’s. Graeme Jones fired the Latics ahead nine before the break, before Dean Keates equalised shortly after the restart. With the match seemingly heading for a draw, Barlow struck with ten minutes remaining to seal all three points for Ray Mathias’ men.
Saddlers team: Walker, Marsh, Pointon, Viveash, Roper, Keates, Wrack, Brissett, Larusson, Rammell, Watson.
Subs not used: Evans, Thomas, Platt.
28th December 1998 – Wigan 2-0 Walsall – Second Division
A second-half brace from Stuart Barlow condemned Walsall to a first league defeat in nine matches. The former Everton forward broke the deadlock shortly after the hour-mark, before doubling the hosts' advantage seven minutes from time.
Saddlers team: Walker, Pointon, Viveash, Green, Marsh, Wrack, Larusson (Keates 70’), Simpson, Porter, Rammell, Otta (Brissett 32’).
Sub not used: Evans.