They are new to venturing beyond these shores, but Wigan have already been dealt a harsh lesson in the realities of European football.

Leading through Leon Barnett in only the seventh minute, they were dreaming of a place in the Europa League knock-out phase, until being pegged back by a goalkeeping blunder and finally left staring at elimination by an 88th-minute Zulte Waregem winner.

Wigan looked set for the win that would have taken them through after Jordi Gomez hopelessly miscued a shot from Callum McManaman’s low cross but saw it turn into an assist, as Barnett swept the loose ball home.

But Zulte were back on terms after two glaring errors, first by James McArthur then by Lee Nicholls, gifted them a 37th-minute equaliser. McArthur needlessly surrendered possession inside his own half, and when the resulting breakaway led to a rising drive from Thorgan Hazard, Nicholls looked to have it in his grasp, until it squirmed free and evaded his frantic efforts to prevent it crossing the line.

With Nick Powell and James McClean running purposefully at Zulte’s defence, Wigan still looked the likelier winners, until being caught by a late sucker punch, as Junior Malanda latched on to a lay-off by substitute Idrissa Sylla and lashed a near-post shot into the top corner.

Stunned Wigan now have to win away to Maribor in their final game and hope Zulte finish empty handed at home to group leaders Rubin Kazan.

Manager Owen Coyle insisted it was not beyond them, as he put on a brace face and said: ‘We are more than capable of doing that, though it is disappointing our fate is no longer in our own hands. ‘It was cruel in the extreme after such a good performance.

‘Lee is a young kid with a terrific career ahead of him, and I have already told him he will play on Sunday. ‘That’s the confidence we have in him, and though he is hurting, he will be stronger for it.

‘If a keeper makes a mistake, there is no hiding place. I was a striker in my playing days, and I missed plenty of chances, believe me. But another would always come along, and provided I stuck one away, all those misses were forgotten. ‘It’s different for a keeper. When a mistake costs a goal, it’s all people remember, and that can be tough when you are only 21.

‘But we have tremendous belief in him, and I know he will come again. He is a conscientious lad, and I know he will be hurting, but he will be all the better for the experience. ‘He has been absolutely outstanding since coming in for Scott Carson, and there is no question he is destined for a terrific career.

‘We controlled the game and thoroughly deserved our lead, though it should have been two or three goals, not just the one. ‘That’s what cost us. We had the chances to put the game to bed but didn’t take them.

‘They had two shots on target, the equaliser and the winner, and I am absolutely gutted for the lads after all the endeavour and quality they put in to trying to win the game.’

—Daily Mail