A last-minute headed goal from Ben Watson saw Wigan Athletic become the first team to win the FA Cup on their debut outing since Wimbledon in 1988 this afternoon.

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The midfielder's intervention was the only goal of the game against a Manchester City side who were regarded as the big favourites heading into the encounter at Wembley.

Despite City's bright start, it was underdogs Wigan who created the first real chance of note with eight minutes played.

Callum McManaman managed to work the ball onto his left foot, but his curling effort from a tight angle went wide of Joe Hart's left post.

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City had seen a lot of the ball, but it wasn't until the 30th minute that they carved out their opening opportunity. David Silva played the ball across the face of goal for Carlos Tevez, but his goalbound shot was diverted over the bar by the foot of Wigan goalkeeper Joel Robles.

McManaman had another chance as the half drew to a close, but having rounded Hart, his strike from a narrow angle was blocked by two City defenders, while at the other end Gareth Barry bent a shot straight at Robles.

Roberto Mancini's men began the second half in a similar way that they had started the first and with 50 minutes on the clock, they almost broke the deadlock. Tevez played the ball across for his fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero, but his route to goal was blocked by a sliding Emmerson Boyce.

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McManaman continued to pose a threat for Wigan, though, and in the 66th minute he would have had a clear shot at goal inside the area following his jinking run had it not been for a block from City captain Vincent Kompany.

The young winger then won a free kick for his team 10 minutes later and despite Shaun Maloney having overhit his attempted cross, the ball struck the top of Hart's bar before it was cleared to safety.

McManaman continued to cause problems and he was involved in a key moment six minutes from time when Pablo Zabaleta was handed his marching orders for a late sliding challenge on the Wigan man. It was the City defender's second caution of the match.

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That put Wigan in the ascendancy and their pressure finally told with one minute of normal time left to play as substitute Wigan rose highest to guide a Maloney corner beyond the reach of Hart.

It is the first time that Wigan have ever won the competition and they will now represent England in next season's Europa League.