Record signing Nathan Ellington led Wigan to a deserved 3-1 victory over Premiership new boys West Brom with a blistering hat-trick at the JJB Stadium.
The £1.2million signing from Bristol Rovers looked Premiership class as Gary Megson's outfit, showing nine changes from the side that tasted home defeat against Blackburn two days previously, were completely outplayed by the Second Division promotion chasers.
Wigan looked by far the more eager and lively side right from the first kick as their passing and movement had their supposedly more illustrious opponents in all sorts of trouble.
Striker Neil Roberts missed two golden openings before Albion almost took the lead against the run of play when a Jason Koumas free-kick was deflected off the Wigan wall and on to the post.
But it was just a minor scare for the home side and it was no surprise when Ellington fired them in front after 31 minutes, rifling home a low drive after Roberts had flicked on a cross from Jason Jarrett.
Ellington added a second on the hour as Wigan's dominance continued and while Albion battled to get back into the match they found the home defence in superb form.
Ellington completed a memorable night when he headed home Gary Teale's cross with ten minutes left to claim his first hat-trick for the club.
Lee Hughes grabbed a late consolation for the Baggies, but it was far too little too late