Wigan Athletic travelled to Maribor in the Europa League this evening looking for the win that could have propelled them into the last 32 of the competition.
Things looked bright for the Latics when Jordi Gomez fired them in front from the penalty spot in the 41st minute, but they gave away a penalty themselves moments later.
Dejan Mezga levelled the match, tucking away the rebound after Scott Carson kept out his initial penalty, and things went from bad to worse for Wigan in the second half.
Zeljko Filipovic won it for the hosts in the 59th minute with a stunning strike that sent Maribor into the next phase of the competition as group runners-up.
Find out how all the action unfolded with out minute-by-minute text commentary below.
Good evening and welcome to our live text coverage of Wigan Athletic's must-win Europa League clash against Maribor in Slovenia.
Kickoff is less than half-an-hour away, and both sides have submitted their team sheets, so we'll have starting XIs for you in just a moment.
WIGAN: Carson, Perch, Barnett, Rogne, Beausejour, McCann, McArthur, McManaman, Gomez, Espinoza, Powell
MARIBOR: Handanovic, Milec, Viler, Filipovic, Rajcevic, Bordignon, Mezga, Mertelj, Morales Tavares, Fajic, Bohar
Wigan are plagued by injuries and ineligibilities this evening, with James McClean missing out through suspension, and Shaun Maloney (hip), goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi (knee) and defenders Gary Caldwell (hip) and Juan Carlos Garcia (ankle) all unfit to make the trip.
This is unfortunate considering this evening's fixture is a must-win for the Latics if they hope to stand any chance of progressing to the last 32 of the competition. They also need Zulte Waregem to slip up in their home clash with Group D leaders Rubin Kazan.
Wigan's form going into this one won't exactly fill fans with confidence. The Latics have lost their last five matches on the spin, but that 3-1 win over Maribor when the teams last met may bring them some confidence.
The away end is filling up at Maribor. Here is a shot of the travelling support courtesy of the official Wigan Twitter feed:
The away end filling up nicely http://t.co/OVBLnbSYZC pic.twitter.com/NoeQup93K2
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) December 12, 2013
Even if Zulte were to draw this evening and Wigan win, the Belgians would progress due to their superior head-to-head record. We'll keep you up to date on developments from both games as they happen.
It's actually Maribor's 53rd birthday today, and they are looking to mark the occasion with a home win. Three points might not be enough for them to progress to the next phase, though.
KICKOFF: Uwe Rosler's first match in charge of Wigan is underway. There's a celebratory atmosphere here at Maribor, with fireworks exploding overhead and large home crowd cheering the hosts on.
Excellent early possession from Wigan. They have held the ball well and just staged an attack through Roger Espinoza, whose cut back was hacked away by a blue shirt in front of goal.
Maribor venture into the Wigan half for the first time, but James Perch ushers their long ball out for a Wigan throw. The Latics are looking confident this evening, dominating the early possession.
Wigan press their opponents in the final third, only for the move to break down as Jordi Gomez commits a foul against Zeljko Filipovic.
SHOT! Maribor are starting to ask questions at the other end now. The hosts break directly from the free kick, and the ball eventually finds its way to the feet of Filipovic just outside the box. He lets fly with his right foot, but his effort goes narrowly wide.
Another half chance for Maribor as Mitja Viler gains possession in a similar position, but his finish is poor, bending away from goal from the moment it left his boot.
Wigan are under the cosh now as the Slovenians continue to press them on the break. The Latics back line clear the danger the first time of asking before Dejan Mezga shoots high and wide.
This is more like it from Wigan. Rosler's men have started bringing the game to their opponents again with Jean Beausejour looking dangerous along the flank. He puts a cross into the box, but it's headed clear.
CLOSE! Wigan almost break the deadlock through Nick Powell, who takes Beausejour's pass on the half-volley, his effort narrowly clearing the crossbar. Good pressure from the visitors!
BOOKING! Roger Espinoza is shown the yellow card for going in hard with a shoulder barge on Martin Milec. A needless booking!
BOOKING! Chris McCann is the second Wigan player to receive a caution for clambering all over Ales Mertelj during an aerial challenge. This game has turned scrappy and become stop-start in the last few minutes.
CHANCE! Callum McManaman gets away along the right flank and plays a dangerous low cross into the box towards Nick Powell, but his marker beats him to it and puts it behind for a corner, which is squandered by Espinoza.
Both sides have had their moments here tonight, but 0-0 is a fair reflection of the first 25 minutes. Neither team is looking particularly clinical upfront, though Wigan need to watch out for Maribor on the break.
Wigan would make history if they find the net this evening as they have never scored an away goal in Europe before. However, their goalscoring record on the road has left a lot to be desired this season.
Wigan back in possession again, but they are still struggling to create much in the final third. Nick Powell has just ventured forward only to be closed down very quickly due to a lack of support from his teammates.
They've just had some defending to do as Mitja Viler and Nusmir Fajic link up well and attempt to get in behind the Wigan rear guard, but the Latics reclaim possession and scrambled the ball away.
OFF THE POST! The visitors win a free kick 20 yards from goal following a foul on Jordi Gomez. He steps up and strikes it himself, but it comes back off the post! Jasmin Handanovic in the Maribor goal would have been well beaten there!
Wigan have been buoyed on after coming so close to an opener. They are back on the attacking now, playing good counterattacking football. James Perch plays in a cross from the right, but it's hacked clear.
PENALTY TO WIGAN!
GOAL! Maribor 0-1 Wigan Atletic (Gomez)
Gomez fires Wigan in front from the penalty spot after Nick Powell is brought down in the area. It was a poor penalty from Gomez, creeping under the keeper, but Wigan aren't complaining!
PENALTY TO MARIBOR!
Would you believe it? Maribor win a penalty at the other end moments after play restarts. Chris McCann handled inside the area, picking up a second yellow card and receiving his marching orders in the process!
GOAL! Maribor 1-1 Wigan Athletic (Mezga)
Scott Carson guesses correctly and keeps out Dejan Mezga penalty, but the former England keeper can only parry the ball, allowing Mezga to tap home the rebound! Unlucky, Wigan!
Two minutes of stoppage time to be played. With Wigan down to 10 men and the scoreline level, the home crowd will be starting to think that this could be their night.
HALF TIME: Maribor 1-1 Wigan Athletic
Plenty for Uwe Rosler to think about at half time. It looked like it was going to be Wigan's night for a fleeting moment there, but misfortune struck just moments after Jordi Gomez fired them in front from the penalty spot.
Chris McCann was clearly guilty of committing handball in the box, but the red card was harsh. Shouldn't having a penalty kick awarded against you be punishment enough in itself?
Scott Carson did well to pull off a reflex save from Dejan Mezga, tipping his penalty onto the post, but fortune was not on his side. Maribor will be going for this in the second period, but a win for either side will be meaningless unless Rubin Kazan defeat Zulte Waregem in tonight's other Group D match. That game is currently goalless.
All the action from the second half is coming up, but if you've just joined us, you can catch up on all of the action so far with our half-time report here.
KICKOFF! Maribor get the second half under way. Wigan have made a change at the break, bringing on Ben Watson for Callum McManaman.
Wigan start the second period on the front foot as James Perch gets his head to a Jordi Gomez cross, but he doesn't get enough on it and it sails harmlessly over the crossbar.
Maribor are asking the questions now, a neat team move ending when Mitja Viler lashes one into the stand from just outside the box. He got plenty of power behind that, but it was rising from the moment he pulled the trigger.
Just a reminder that Wigan must win here tonight to stand any chance of progressing to the last 32 of the competition. They also need Rubin Kazan to defeat Zulte Waregem, and that game is currently goalless.
CHANCE! The best chance of the second half so far goes begging as Jean Beausejour squares a pass to Nick Powell in the box, and the youngster sidefoots an effort an inch or so wide of the post.
BOOKING! Tavares is booked for going in studs-first on James Perch. I don't think he can have any complaints about being cautioned for that.
A Maribor attack breaks down as Martin Milec plays in a poor cross from the left, his lofted pass sailing over the crossbar and onto the roof of the net. The Slovenians aren't really making their numerical advantage felt, but they are certainly capable of punishing Wigan.
GOAL! Maribor 2-1 Wigan Athletic (Filipovic)
Maribor take the lead courtesy of a stunning strike from Zeljko Filipovic. The hosts kept Wigan on the back foot for a lengthy spell there, the ball eventually falling to Dejan Mezga inside the box. He teed up Filipovic for a strike from 20 yards out, and the midfielder found the back of the net superbly!
Wigans hopes of qualification are fading fast. However, Maribor have a chance of making the last 32 should Rubin Kazan manage to find a goal against Zulte Waregem in Belgium.
SUBSTITUTION: Wigan throw on Marc-Antoine Fortune in place of Nick Powell. No doubt Uwe Rosler is saving the youngster for this week's Championship clash against Bolton.
The Latics will be disappointed if the bow out of the competition here tonight. There's certainly no shame in falling at this hurdle, but they started their campaign so brightly, only to throw it all away in their last fixture against Zulte Waregem.
Things are looking brighter for another British club in action this evening. Swansea City are being held 0-0 at St Gallen, needing only a point to progress to the last 32.
Half-chance for Wigan as Jean Beausejour's cross is nodded on by Roger Espinoza in the box, almost into the path of the onrushing James Perch in front of goal!
CHANCES! Wigan almost draw level as Ben Watson gains possessing outside the Maribor box and unleashes a vicious strike that produces a good save from Jasmin Handanovic. Maribor coming agonisingly close to extending their lead at the other end as Damjan Bohar goes clean through on goal and shoots narrowly wide of the far post.
RED CARD! Ales Mertelj is send off after picking up a second yellow card. He went in recklessly on Jordi Gomez there and can't really complain. It's 10 against 10 now!
Wigan threaten from a free kick, taken by Ben Watson, but the move breaks down as James Perch fouls the Maribor goalkeeper in the air.
UPDATE! Rubin Kazan have taken the lead from the penalty spot against Zulte Waregem. That means Maribor will progress as group runners-up should things remain the same. A cheer rings out across the stadium as the new spreads.
It will be Wigan going through should they be able to find two goals from somewhere. They have 10 minutes plus stoppage time to get them, but the odds are certainly stacked up against them.
The Latics squander an opportunity to stage an attack as Ben Watson plays a free kick too long. The ball drifts over the penalty area, sailing out for a Maribor goalkick.
Wigan are being restricted to shots from range now. Leon Barnett tries his luck from just outside the box, but his strike flies over the bar, failing to trouble Jasmin Handanovic.
UPDATE! Rubin Kazan are now 2-0 up against Zulte Waregem, so it looks like the winners here this evening will be making it through to the last 32. Wigan will be kicking themselves now!
Wigan have passed the ball well this evening, but the absence of an out-and-out striker for them has really been felt. Conceding that penalty right after taking the lead was what has caused them to come undone.
SAVE! Jasmin Handanovic is the hero for Maribor, pulling off a reaction save to keep out Marc-Antoine Fortune's close-range half-volley right at the death! Nerves are frayed here in Slovenia!
There will be four minutes of stoppage time to play, and what nervy minutes they will be for the hosts!
FULL TIME: Maribor 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Happy birthday, Maribor! The club rings in its 53rd anniversary in style, qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League with a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic.
Maribor shoot from bottom of Group D to second place, while Wigan replace them at the foot of the table on five points.
That's all we have time for on this disappointing night for Wigan Athletic, but congratulations to Maribor, who have pulled off something truly unexpected here this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for this Europa League fixture.
