Wigan kept pace at the top of Division One thanks to a hard-fought win over struggling Derby, with a goal in each half from Nathan Ellington and Lee McCulloch.
Ellington headed home his 14th goal of the season on the stroke of half-time after Derby's five-man defence appeared to have shut out their high-flying rivals - and McCulloch made sure of the points when he volleyed home six minutes
after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Derby, suffering their eighth away defeat, had several chances of their own in either half but were found wanting in front of goal and were made to pay.
Wigan went straight on the offensive, with Gary Teale - called into Berti Vogts' Scotland squad for next week's friendly with Wales - embarking on several
successful raids down the right.
Derby showed nothing as an attacking force until Noel Whelan brought the best out of Wigan goalkeeper John Filan, the Australian somehow keeping out the striker's thunderbolt following Richard Jackson's inviting cut-back.
Alan Mahon sent a left-footed volley from 25 yards whistling past Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant's right-hand post, and Ellington saw his shot from the edge
of the area flash narrowly wide.
Wigan dominated possession and created further chances, Teale volleying wide and Ellington forcing Grant into a fine save after turning his man in the box
and unleashing a low, left-footed shot.
Teenage defender Tom Huddlestone responded for Derby, firing in a shot from distance - and Ian Taylor also tried his luck from outside the box before the
visitors threatened again in a goalmouth scramble.
With Wigan failing to make an early breakthrough, Derby grew in confidence and wrested back an equal share of possession as half-time approached.
But just as Derby appeared to be heading in at the break all square, Wigan carved them open.
Mahon broke clear down the left - and when he sent over the perfect cross Ellington was on hand to power his header beyond Grant for the all-important opener.
Ellington was first to show after the restart, sending another shot flashing wide - while Teale volleyed Leighton Baines' cross first time over the bar.
Seventeen-year-old Huddlestone was prominent for Derby in a midfield holding role, but the visitors found themselves hemmed in for long periods.
Derby boss George Burley sent on German striker Marco Reich for Whelan, and he made an instant impact - charging forward and playing in Izale McLeod, who shot
tamely at Filan with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Derby were soon made to pay.
Wigan boss Jewell swapped striker Jason Roberts for McCulloch after 72 minutes, and the popular Scot volleyed home his fifth goal of the season soon
afterwards from Ellington's flick-on to make it 2-0.
Rob Edwards then blew a chance to get one back for Derby, heading Jackson's cross wide from six yards with five minutes left - and Filan held substitute
Manuel Manel's long-range drive in the closing stages.
Teams
Wigan: Filan, Eaden, Breckin, De Vos, Baines, Teale,
Jarrett (Flynn 90), Bullard, Mahon, Ellington (Liddell 86),
Jason Roberts (McCulloch 73).
Subs Not Used: Walsh, Jackson.
Goals: Ellington 45, McCulloch 78.
Derby: Grant, Edwards, Mawene, Johnson, Jackson, Huddlestone,
Taylor, Osman, Vincent (Manel 77), Whelan (Reich 63), McLeod.
Subs Not Used: Camp, Bolder, Tudgay.
Booked: Vincent, Huddlestone.
Att: 9,146
Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).
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