Eight changes, two goals conceded and one angry supporter base who have only seen their side win once in the last 11 outings. The alterations made were a gamble for Eddie Howe, and it is fair to say they didn’t pay off as Bournemouth blundered their way to an unwanted replay against Wigan.
Disorganised, lethargic and lacking creativity, it was similar to when Howe’s side crashed out at the same stage against Millwall last year, but for a last-minute Steve Cook goal kept their Cup hopes alive.
Wigan were the opposite; industrious, tenacious, clearly here to do battle and it is easy to see why they are top of League One.
Steve Cook’s late heroics forces a third-round replay as Bournemouth equalise in the dying moments at the Vitality Stadium
The defender’s powerful header made it all square in the 92nd-minute as Wigan fail to hold on to their lead
Cook heads home to force a third-round replay as Bournemouth equalise in the dying moments against Wigan
Nick Powell’s deflected free-kick gives Wigan Athletic a 2-0 lead on the half-hour mark as they cause an FA Cup upset
It was the visitors who looked the brighter of the two outfits as they probed early on and got their rewards, as they went ahead less than five minutes in.
Michael Jacobs ran down the left and his attempt at a cross was deflected away, but thankfully for the Latics the ricochet went to his team-mate Reece James.
Picking up the ball, James turned and swung in a delivery to Grigg’s path, and the Northern Irishman did the rest as he buried past Artur Boruc.
Bournemouth had chances to pull one back, but for a series of fine saves from Christian Walton and a brave block by Nathan Byrne to keep the Cherries at bay.
Powell’s team-mates swarm the midfielder as the League One leaders cement their lead in the first half
Artur Boruc (left) and Nathan Ake (right) can only watch as Wigan’s free-kick is deflected into the net in the first half
Ake can only look on as the League One side enjoy a successful first half in their third round FA Cup encounter at the Vitality
Eddie Howe’s men look dejected as the League One side make it 2-0 following Powell’s free-kick
‘Premier League, you’re having a laugh,’ taunted the Wigan fans as they began to take control of the game, through the hardworking duo of Max Power and Egyptian skipper Sam Morsy.
They had more reason to chant as the half-hour mark drew nearer.
Nick Powell’s 30-yard shot unluckily sailed wide, but he had a chance to make amends moments after from a free-kick.
Just 25 yards from goal, Powell cannoned his shot into the Bournemouth wall that was protecting Boruc as the ball took a wicked deflection off Emerson Hyndman and into the Cherries’ goal.
Two down and with less than thirty minutes played, Howe’s men did not look up for the cup.
Chaotic at the back, they had no way through in attack either, mostly due to Wigan’s excellent Dan Burn heading and hoofing every ball away until half time.
Booed off at the break, Howe rang the changes as he brought on Marc Pugh and Jordon Ibe, and that seemed to do the trick as the Cherries finally had some impetus.
They went ahead through a well-placed shot from Frenchman Lys Mousset and the fans were back on side, sensing they could salvage something from this tie.
Callum Wilson’s introduction got the loudest cheer of the day, and he proved to be the attacking spearhead that Bournemouth had been lacking.
Time and again they tested Wigan but the near-faultless Walton kept it at bay.
The Bournemouth manager can only look on as he hopes his side can get back into the game after a woeful first 45 minutes
Will Grigg broke the deadlock within the first five minutes to give the Latics a shock lead in their FA Cup third-round tie
Grigg was alone in the six-yard box as he chested down Gavin Massey’s header to strike the ball into the bottom corner
Bournemouth defenders throw their body’s at Grigg’s shot but can do nothing as Wigan’s No 9 makes it 1-0 after five minutes
Wigan manager Cook watches as his League One side lead for the majority of the game at the Vitality Stadium
Lys Mousset pulled one back for the Premier League outfit after substitute Jordan Ibe set up the Frenchman
Cherries goalscorer Mousset and second-half substitute Ibe celebrate after pulling a goal back for the home side
Penned in their own box, Wigan broke through Ivan Toney who went down in the Bournemouth penalty area with two minutes left on the clock.
No penalty given and assistant manager Leam Richardson was sent to the stands because he was so incensed by the decision.
It was to prove decisive as Marc Pugh’s cross down the other end was met by Cook’s header as the Cherries drew level in the 92nd minute.
A brave gamble by Howe, and one which didn’t pay off and may impact on his side’s battle to stay in the Premier League. Despite getting a replay, an extra trip to face a Wigan side who have the measure of Bournemouth, is something that he could probably do without.
Howe watches on after his Premier League side conceded two first-half goals to League One opposition in the FA Cup
Wigan’s Nathan Bryne (left) battles for the ball with Cherries winger Marc Pugh (right) during their FA Cup clash on Saturday
The two sides play under the lights at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth snatch a replay on Saturday afternoon