On-loan striker Brett Ormerod scored twice to seal victory against Leicester and maintain Wigan's hopes of automatic promotion.

Ormerod, brought to the club by manager Paul Jewell until the end of the season from Southampton, was surprisingly preferred in attack to top-scorer Nathan Ellington but responded with his first goals for the club.

His first was a scrappy effort after 25 minutes which was slightly fortuitous, but his second was a thudding header which put his side within two points of Coca-Cola Championship leaders Sunderland.

Both goals came from Graham Kavanagh set-pieces, which proved to be the difference between the two sides in a match low on quality at the Walkers Stadium.

It was Ormerod, impressive throughout, who had the first effort on goal when he firmly directed Kavanagh's corner just over the bar in the sixth minute.

With both sides struggling for fluency, set plays created the best chance of an opener and Kavanagh forged another opportunity three minutes later.

The veteran midfielder floated a free-kick to the far post where Matt Jackson headed towards goal, only for Foxes keeper Ian Walker to claw away.

The opening passage of play was littered with a succession of petty fouls, with Patrick McCarthy eventually shown a yellow card when he hacked at Jason Jarrett.

Mark De Vries created the hosts' first chance, twisting on the edge of the penalty area and firing a low drive which Latics keeper John Filan did well to tip around the post.

After 25 minutes McCarthy was warned for another strong challenge, and the visitors took the lead from the resulting free-kick.

Kavanagh delivered the set-piece from the left and as McCarthy attempted to clear, the ball struck Ormerod and went in off a deflection.

Jarrett could have doubled the lead after 31 minutes when he robbed Joey Gudjonsson in the penalty area, but his shot from 10 yards was wayward.

Foxes skipper Danny Tiatto was booked with 10 minutes left in the half after a clumsy challenge on Jarrett. Tiatto also fouled Roberts just before the interval as the hosts attempted to get back into the match.

Craig Levein's side attacked after the break with De Vries firing wide and Alan Maybury having a 25-yard effort easily saved.

But Kavanagh's set pieces were still providing an attacking threat, and he sent a warning shot after 57 minutes with a long-range effort which Walker saved easily.

He then set up the second Wigan goal a minute later with a deep corner which Ormerod emphatically headed home, rising above Keith Gillespie at the back post.

Ormerod scented a hat-trick and volleyed just over after 67 minutes, and three minutes later he had another effort which was saved.

Jason Roberts, who had been booked for a foul on De Vries, also wasted a good opportunity as Jewell's side closed in on a straightforward victory.

Ellington was brought on with two minutes remaining but he could not add to his 23-goal haul for the season. Filan was booked for time wasting in injury-time.

Teams

Leicester Walker, McCarthy, Dublin, Dabizas, Maybury, Gillespie (Kenton 68), Williams, Gudjonsson, Tiatto (Moore 80), de Vries, Connolly.

Subs Not Used: Nalis, Wilcox, Hirschfeld.

Booked: McCarthy, Tiatto, Dabizas.

Wigan Filan, Eaden, Jackson, Breckin, McMillan, Bullard, Jarrett, Kavanagh, McCulloch (Wright 80), Ormerod, Roberts (Ellington 88).

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Mahon, Teale.

Booked: Roberts, Filan.

Goals: Ormerod 25, 59.

Att: 23,894

Ref: K Stroud (Dorset).