::Grenada Sports::

Wigan eased to a 4-2 victory against Preston at Deepdale - with Grenadian international Jason Roberts taking less than a minute to score on his debut for the First Division promotion chasers.

Nathan Ellington grabbed a brace and Gary Teale was also on the score-sheet for Athletic, with Dickson Etuhu and a late Graham Alexander penalty providing scant consolation for the disappointed home crowd.

It took Roberts just 33 seconds to give himself a dream start to his spell with Wigan.

The striker capitalised from a Teale cross to head home and make himself an instant hit with Athletic's fans.

Preston managed to claw their way back into the game after a dominant spell for the home side.

It was Etuhu who levelled, heading home after a fine delivery from Alexander.

However, Wigan went in at the break with a lead - Ellington putting several misses behind him by converting Nicky Eaden's cross.

Teale then turned goalscorer on 72 smashing home his firts of the season with an unstoppable drive, and Ellington made it four eight minutes later before Alexander converted from the penalty spot to restore a little face to the Preston side.

Roberts: "It Was Roy Of The Rovers Stuff!" Latics record signing Jason Roberts has spoken of his delight having scored with his first touch in a Wigan Athletic shirt in the memorable 4-2 win at Preston North End.

Speaking following the game the excited striker explained:

"It was an unbelievable start and though you dream about it you don't really expect it to happen. It was 'Roy of the Rovers' stuff and it was great to get off the mark so early.

"Tealey (Gary Teale) did brilliantly on the right and whipped the ball in and I just adjusted my position and flicked it home. It was the only option I had really as the ball came at me very quickly and obviously it was brilliant to see it fly in.

"I really enjoyed my first game for Wigan and it's already obvious that there's a great team spirit here. We scored four great goals and deserved the win and to play up front with 'the kid' (Nathan Ellington) again was really exciting. He's played excellently and we linked up very well for our first game together for some time.

"To be fair it's not about me and Nathan though, it was a great team performance and from front to back everyone played well. Preston are a good side and to come here and win is a big result for us. Things couldn't really have gone better for my first game here and now I'm chomping at the bit for the next match already. It's a bit of shame we'll have to wait a couple of weeks but that's life and we'll get on with it.

"The fans were fantastic and it's brilliant to give them the win in a local derby. Hopefully we can build on this win and push on from here but I'm just delighted with how it's gone today and it's certainly a memorable day for everyone to make the most of."

New Wigan Athletic signing Jason Roberts has revealed he was barely on speaking terms with former West Brom manager Gary Megson.

The striker completed a permanent switch to Wigan earlier this week after spending the first half of the season on loan at Portsmouth.

But the 25-year-old departed The Hawthorns on sour terms after admitting he was upset with Megson's man-management skills.

Roberts claims his relationship with the Baggies chief deteriorated the moment he joined the club from Bristol Rovers in July 2000.

He claims Megson displayed a lack of respect and he is looking forward to a more healthy working relationship with new boss Paul Jewell.

"Everyone knows me and the manager never got on at West Brom," said Roberts. "The way he deals with people is not the way I think you should deal with people.

"I think you have to show people respect and hopefully I will get that here at Wigan. It started going downhill soon after I signed my first contract with Albion.

"The last time I probably spoke to Megson was in the summer. We didn't get on but a lot of players and managers don't get on; it is one of those things.

"Once people overstep certain marks, though, you have got to draw a line and say 'enough is enough'."

Jason Roberts is set to leave West Bromwich Albion and join Wigan Athletic today - five months after the clubs agreed a deal for the Grenada international striker.

Albion will receive a fee believed to be about £1 million for a player they signed from Bristol Rovers for twice that amount in 2000.

Roberts opted against a move to Wigan on September 1 to join Portsmouth on loan. However, with Wigan maintaining their interest, and Albion preferring to sell the player, the deal was always likely to be revived.

Paul Jewell, the Wigan manager, last night claimed that their bid had been accepted by Albion.

He said: "We have made a bid and I think it has been accepted. We are waiting to hear back from West Brom. Maybe their fax machine is broken."

Gary Megson, the Albion manager, was unavailable for comment but, given his frosty relationship with Roberts, will be keen to push the deal through.

Jewell says that Wigan have no hard feelings over the way Roberts turned the club down on the day he was supposed to sign.

"The player is keen to come," Jewell said. "He is embarrassed about what happened but hopefully the car will not turn round this time.

"That is water under the bridge now and he is very keen to come and link up with his close friend, Nathan Ellington, and hopefully the deal will go through, as it is obvious that we do need another spark.

"He is a player I like and rate and I have been after him for some time now, as everyone knows. We are as confident as we can be that we will get him here, but the way it's gone for us this season, we will not take anything for granted. Hopefully, the car will make it all the way up the M6 this time and not go on a detour via Portsmouth.

"To be honest, I do not blame the lad for wanting to go there and have another crack at the Premiership, that's fair enough, but it is now great for us that he wants to come here, as he will certainly give everyone around the place a lift.

"It is a case of wait and see, but we are pretty optimistic that he will soon be a Wigan Athletic player."