FORMER Hereford United goalkeeper Dan Connor won a £50 bet with Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira after watching current employers Wigan Athletic reach the FA Cup semi-final.

The 33-year-old, an academy goalkeeping coach with the Latics, took the wager with Vieira, now Manchester City's reserve team manager, while the pair were taking time out from their UEFA A-licence course.

As well as being a few quid richer, Connor will now be heading to Wembley after holders Wigan stunned Manchester City 2-1 to set up a last-four clash against Arsenal on Saturday, April 12.

Connor, who still lives in Hereford, said: “I was on a coaching course in Newport finishing

off my A-licence, so I wasn’t able to watch the tie.

“Patrick Vieira was also on the course and I was kicking him under the desk. I took £50 off him because he had a bet with me that City would win the tie.

“It’s been a busy time – I had an under 18s game and then I drove down to Hereford

and spent Sunday and Monday in Newport.

“I don’t think I have ever gone this long without watching television.”

Connor, whose Bulls career was ended by a hip injury in 2011, added: “We’re off to Wembley – it was a great result – and it’s fantastic for everyone around the club.

"It’s a semi-final at Wembley and Arsenal will pose some different problems to Manchester City.

“We are on a decent run of form and you see the hard work that has been done and you realise that last year’s FA Cup win for Wigan was not a fluke.”

After retiring from playing, Connor became goalkeeper coach at Edgar Street but left his position at the Skrill Premier club last summer.

He later became Shrewsbury Town's head of academy goalkeeping, before joining Wigan Athletic last month.