CHERRIES’ development squad gave their title hopes a boost with a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic at DW Stadium.

Michael Dacosta Gonzalez, who was on the bench for the first team against Manchester United at the weekend, broke the deadlock, before Kian Tydeman doubled the tally.

Abdi Sharif pulled one back for the Latics late on, but Cherries saw out the victory.

Boss Alan Connell made two changes from the side’s last game, more than two weeks ago away at Charlton Athletic. Dacosta Gonzalez came in from the start, alongside Daniel Adu-Adjei, with Balraj Landa and Ashley Clarke dropping to the bench.

After a quiet start from both sides, winger Dacosta Gonzalez broke the deadlock in emphatic fashion, cutting in from the right and firing home hard and low.

Callan McKenna then denied Youssef Chentouf at the other end as Cherries took their slender lead into the break.

Tydeman, who scored both goals in the win at Charlton, then got on the scoresheet again, bursting through on goal and slotting in.

Substitute Landa missed a good chance to extend the lead, before Sharif scored on the counter attack for the hosts.

With their tails up, Cherries needed goalkeeper McKenna to be alert to thwart Kieran Lloyd in the closing stages.

At the time of writing, Cherries sit second in the South Group, six points behind leaders Millwall.

Cherries: McKenna, Tonks, Kinsey, Harris, Osborne, Brown, Williams, Dacosta Gonzalez (Landa), Sadi, Tydeman (Johnson), Adu-Adjei.

Unused subs: William, Clarke, Allan (g/k).