Nathan Ellington scored both Wigan's goals as they knocked Premiership side Fulham out of the Worthington Cup.

The Londoners fielded 10 changes from the team which lost to Blackburn in the Premiership on Saturday.

And Wigan took full advantage of their weakened opponents, with Ellington striking twice in eight, first-half minutes.

Fulham's Luis Boa Morte pulled one back for the visitors late on but it was not enough to deny the home side victory.

It was a good time to rest a few players but I knew Wigan would play well Fulham boss Jean Tigana

Despite their makeshift line-up, Fulham were the first to press, with Andrejs Stolcers sending in a dangerous cross that John Filan just managed to hold on to.

But Wigan grabbed the lead in the 20th minute through Ellington, who bagged a hat-trick in the second-round win over West Brom.

Key moments

20 mins: Ellington puts Wigan ahead 28 mins: Ellington doubles Wigan's lead 86 mins: Boa Morte sets up a tense finale

Neil Roberts knocked a superb backheel across the box which found Ellington, who shrugged off Zat Knight before slipping the ball past Maik Taylor.

Ellington was again rewarded for persistence in the 28th minute when he grabbed Wigan's second after a series of defensive blunders.

Fulham's Lee Clark tussles with Wigan's Neil Roberts

But Ellington twice dispossessed Abdeslam Ouaddou and Knight inside the box before looping a shot past a bewildered Taylor.

Ellington came close to his hat-trick in the 56th minute, when he fired in a low right-foot shot that Taylor saved well at his near post.

Fulham then set up a grandstand finish when Boa Morte chased a long through ball and slid the ball past Filan five minutes from time.

Wigan: Filan, Eaden, De Vos, Jackson, McMillan, Green, Dinning, Jarrett, Kennedy, Roberts, Ellington. Subs: Beasant, Flynn, Mitchell, Teale, Breckin.

Fulham: Taylor, Leacock, Ouaddou, Knight, Wome, Inamoto, Clark, Collins, Djetou, Stolcers, Sava. Subs: Herrera, Boa Morte, Goldbaek, Davis, Hudson.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)