AFC Bournemouth’s development squad returned to action with a 2-1 victory away to Wigan Athletic.

Following a 17-day gap since the team’s last outing, the game’s first real effort at either goalkeeper resulted in its first goal inside 20 minutes at DW Stadium.

Winger Michael Dacosta Gonzalez tricked his way into the box from the right flank before drilling a low, left-footed shot under Matt Corran and in.

A first test for Callan McKenna then followed shortly after with Youssef Chentouf hammering at goal from close range, but the Cherries stopper was equal to it.

Those chances proved the only tests for either goalkeeper in a wet and windy opening 45 minutes in Greater Manchester, with Alan Connell’s side leading by a single goal at half-time.

A closely fought opening to the second half followed as both sides struggled to force another chance.

The next sight at goal came for Luke Brennan, who found some space to open up on his right, but the resulting curling effort was easily held by McKenna.

Bournemouth grew into the half from there and were rewarded for increasing dominance to double the advantage.

A through pass set Kian Tydeman bearing down on Corran’s goal and he held his nerve to slot passed the onrushing goalkeeper.

Substitute Balraj Landa was the next to go close, however, he curled narrowly wide after being found on the edge of the box by Lewis Brown.

Shortly following the chance, Wigan pulled one back as a quick attack gave them a numerical advantage in the Cherries third before Abdi Sharif swept home from inside the box.

A leveller almost followed shortly after but McKenna again made a neat save to prevent Kieran Lloyd’s near-post flick after being set in on goal.

That proved the game’s final opportunity, meaning Connell’s side secured three points to bring back to the south coast.    

Wigan Athletic: Corran, Lloyd, Dwyer, Solomon, Bates, Payne, Graham, Sharif, Chentouf, McMillan, Brennan.

Subs: Spaven, Knott, Bettoni, McKee, Greenhalgh.

AFC Bournemouth: McKenna, Tonks, Osborne, Brown, Kinsey, Harris, Williams, Sadi, Adu-Ajei, Dacosta Gonzalez, Tydeman.

Subs: William, Allan, Clarke, Johnson, Landa.