MIKE Pollitt produced the performance of a lifetime to help Wigan to the first major cup final in their history.

The Farnworth-born keeper saved a first-half penalty from Jose Antonio Reyes, and kept Arsenal at bay through 120 minutes of thrilling football before Jason Roberts struck in the last minute of injury time to send the Latics through on away goals.

The Gunners thought they were heading for Cardiff after Thierry Henry's 65th-minute header forced the tie into extra time, and Arsene Wenger's side seized the advantage with a sublime Van Persie free-kick 12 minutes from time.

The game looked as good as over until Latics top scorer Roberts latched on to a long ball from Graham Kavanagh, and outmanoeuvred Sol Campbell and Phillipe Senderos before sliding the ball under keeper Manuel Almunia.

Although Roberts grabbed the headlines, it was former Manchester United trainee Pollitt who took home the man of them match Champagne following a performance of Herculean proportions.

After palming away Reyes' penalty midway through the first half, he produced similar miracles to deny Dennis Bergkamp and Henry in normal time.

He then denied Bergkamp a second time with another good low save in the final minute of the game, from where the Latics broke to strike the killer blow.

Pollitt admitted after the game that he had prepared to face Henry from the spot, but was happy to revel in his moment of glory.

He said: "I just gambled, picked a side and I saved it.

"I'd expected Henry to take the penalty, but Jose stood up and I just managed to get across to keep it out.

"There were a few saves throughout the game.

"At the end there was one from Dennis Bergkamp, we broke away, and then big Jason tucked away the winner. It's like a fairytale."

Pollitt, who was brought to the JJB from Rotherham in the summer, will now fancy his chances of retaining the number one shirt in next month's final at the Millennium Stadium - even though he thought there was still work to do in the semi final.

"It's so sweet to get through," said Pollitt.

"But I thought we were going to penalties. I completely forgot about away goals rule, so I was all ready for a penalties."