Feel-good factor out the window as Wigan Athletic crushed at home by Stockport County

The visitors were three goals to the good inside 21 minutes as Latics didn’t know what had hit them.

First, Kyle Wootton pounced on a mistake by Max Power to lash County in front after only 10 minutes.

Nine minutes later, it was again too easy as Harry Wood broke through and slipped the ball over the advancing Jack Whitworth.

And the points were already in the bag by the midway point in the first half as Jack Diamond this time broke the line and steadied himself before slotting past the Wigan goalkeeper.

Only a brilliant save at point-blank range from Whitworth prevented a fourth County goal within five minutes of the restart, after a scramble from a corner.

Latics came close when Dara Costelloe and substitute Brad Burrowes both elect not to shoot in favour of laying the ball on to Archie Harris, who hit the post from close range.

The rebound looked perfect for Costelloe, only for a defender to get in the way and the ball was cleared.

Only superb defending from Morgan Fox prevented a fourth County goal, after Whitworth had parried out a shot into the path of Jack Diamond, two yards from goal, who had a tap-in before seeing the ball flicked away from him in the nick of time.

A rocket from Chris Sze forced Oliver Whatmuff into his only real save of the afternoon.

Jason Adigun hit the post for Stockport with a heavily deflected effort, but there was still time for Ryan Glover to make it four in the very last minute from close range – which was the signal for the remaining home fans inside the stadium to make their way to the exits.