Wigan Athletic hero was straight on the phone!

Kyle Joseph was the difference between the two sides at the Stadium of Light

The Scotland Under-19 international was the matchwinner on Wearside, with his deadly left-foot strike from just inside the box settling a tight encounter.

It was Wigan's only effort on goal - and left the Academy graduate struggling to put into words his delight.

"I'm lost for words to be honest," he said. "I've still not got it into my head that we've come away with the win and I've scored the winner, it's mad.

"I was straight on the phone to my mum and dad when I got into the changing room.

"Everything that's happened in my life is down to them and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for everything they've done for me.

"Hopefully scoring that goal today is another piece of me repaying them for the hard work they've invested in me."

After coming close to opening his account on several occasions - including hitting the post against both Northampton and Blackpool - Joseph was delighted to see the ball hit the back of the net.

"All I remember from the goal is Tom James screaming at me and me thinking: 'I've got to score this...if I don't, he's going to give me an ear full!'" he laughed.

"It was just instinct. I thought I'd lost it at first, then I took the snap shot and saw it hit the post.

"I'm thinking: 'oh no, Northampton at home', but thankfully it's hit the inside of the post and gone in.

"It's good to finally get off the mark because it's been coming, and hopefully it's the first of many for this club."

Latics remain bottom of League One on goal difference, but are now only five points adrift of safety with 31 matches still remaining.

"Fair play to everyone today, the subs and the whole squad," Joseph added. "Because we've been working hard but the results haven't been coming our way.

"It's easy for teams to go under, but we haven't, we're sticking together.

"And I can't thank the lads enough because it's down to the squad staying positive and keeping on it.

"For the fans and for everyone working at the club, this result is a big confidence boost, and hopefully we've put smiles on faces this weekend."

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