The lights may have briefly disappeared on Wigan's moment of history, but their hopes of Carling Cup glory are burning brighter than ever on a night to remember for debut boy Paul Scharner.

The recent £2.5million buy from Brann Bergen scored the only goal of this semi-final first leg that many will recall for a powercut early in the second half, resulting in the JJB Stadium being plunged into darkness and the game held up for 14 minutes.

It means with Wigan playing in their first major semi-final, they are now just 90 minutes away from completing a remarkable journey to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for next month's final.

How extraordinary the club's rise has been for it was on this day exactly 29 years ago they played Darwen in a Lancashire Senior Cup tie, winning that game 5-0.

Manager Paul Jewell will emphasise to his players they are from home and dry as the fortress that is Highbury beckons for the return in a fortnight's time.

But it is credit to Jewell for paying the much-maligned competition due respect as he opted to field his strongest line-up, even if his players were dropping like nine-pins at one stage.

With the exception of left-back Leighton Baines, out with a hamstring injury, and striker Henri Camara on African Nations' Cup duty, Jewell clearly sensed an opportunity to make further history.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, and in stark contrast, Arsene Wenger opted to remain loyal to those players who had carried Arsenal to this stage, albeit with this tournament also fourth on his list of priorities.

Remarkably, just three players - Fredrik Ljungberg, Pascal Cygan and Gilberto Silva - were the only survivors from Arsenal's thrilling 3-2 Barclays Premiership win over Wigan at the JJB Stadium two months ago.

That day there was also a then record club and stadium attendance of 25,004, but given the general apathy towards the Carling Cup - even at this exalted stage for Wigan - there were 13,000 missing for this game.

But given the respective line-ups, there appeared to be a sense among the Wigan players the Gunners were there for the taking.

After the lethargy displayed in their previous three matches - losing to Blackburn and Birmingham in the league, and being held by Leeds in the FA Cup - there was a purpose about Wigan in the early exchanges.

Yet despite setting the tempo, it was the Gunners with what proved to be a rare chance in the eighth minute, winning a midfield skirmish from which Mathieu Flamini played a through ball into Ljungberg.

The Swede forcibly held off the challenge of Steve McMillan, but with a clear sight of goal, he skied his shot over the advancing Mike Pollitt and the crossbar.

Jewell's side replied with a wide glancing header from Jason Roberts eight minutes later before his side started to disintegrate in front of his eyes.

In the space of 11 minutes striker David Connolly limped off with a hamstring injury, while winger Lee McCulloch suffered a groin strain that also resulted in an early exit.

In between, midfield powerhouse Jimmy Bullard sustained a gaping hole in his ankle as he went to ground in being shoved by Kerrea Gilbert.

At least that teed up Graham Kavanagh for a 20-yard free-kick through a fragmented wall that forced a superb, low save from Manuel Almunia.

After Stephane Henchoz had bravely thrown his body in the way of a fierce drive from Flamini, McCulloch's departure resulted in the arrival of Scharner.

With the Austria international sporting blue and white stripes shaved into his hair, his first touch was to chest a poor Almunia clearance and go for broke from 30 yards, but with his effort way off target.

Despite the understrength nature of Wenger's team, their football was still the sharper compared to Wigan's more gritty approach, underlined by the running battle Roberts endured with Phillipe Senderos and Pascal Cygan.

That was until the lights went out nine minutes into the second half due to a powercut in the Wigan area.

Referee Howard Webb escorted the players back to their dressing rooms for a second interval, with the players made aware they would be off for at least 10 minutes to allow the lights to cool down before they could be fired up again.

Unfortunately, the game rarely sparked into life after that but for a moment to savour for Scharner.

With Wigan on the front foot, they capitalised in the 79th minute as Gary Teale delivered a cross to the far post following a short throw from Pascal Chimbonda, and up rose Scharner to power home a header from inside the six-yard box.

Wigan have a new hero in town, with the hope there will be many more for the fans to further acclaim come the end of the second leg.

Teams:

Wigan Pollitt, Chimbonda, De Zeeuw, Henchoz, McMillan, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, McCulloch (Scharner 33), Roberts, Connolly (Johansson 22).

Subs Not Used: Filan, Jackson, Francis.

Booked: Henchoz.

Goals: Scharner 78.

Arsenal Almunia, Gilbert (Larsson 75), Senderos, Djourou, Cygan, Ljungberg, Flamini, Silva, Hleb, Owusu-Abeyie (Lupoli 72), Reyes (Fabregas 72).

Subs Not Used: Poom, Bendtner.

Att: 12,181

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).