One of the goals of the season from Nathan Ellington sent Wigan back to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship after a pulsating encounter at snowy Highfield Road on Wednesday night.

It took Ellington's wonder strike, his 20th goal of the season, to see off a spirited Coventry side who were unfortunate to come away beaten 2-1.

There looked little danger when a looping clearance dropped to the Championship's top scorer 25 yards out - but Ellington's rising volley was in from the moment it left his boot.

Although they took an early lead through Gary Teale's second goal of the season, Wigan can count themselves lucky not to be behind by the break.

Gary McSheffrey's penalty brought Coventry level. But the woodwork, some outstanding goalkeeping from John Filan and an incredible miss were then needed to keep the hosts at bay.

Sky Blues boss Micky Adams gave home debuts to loan signings Trevor Benjamin and Ian Bennett. But the biggest cheer was reserved for former youth player Marcus Hall, who was making his second debut for Coventry after being sold more than two years ago.

Wigan made one change from the side which dismissed Leeds at the weekend, Gareth Whalley replacing the injured Alan Mahon in midfield.

Ellington and Jason Roberts must have been salivating at the prospect of tearing into the division's most inviting defence.

In fact, it took only eight minutes for the pair to combine as a seemingly aimless Ellington hook forward clipped off the head of Roberts - and the unmarked Teale charged on to the ball before cracking a low drive past Bennett.

Coventry's veteran defender Richard Shaw was forced to leave the field midway through the half to be replaced by Claus Jorgensen.

But within seconds, the hosts had a penalty when Matt Jackson was adjudged to have clipped McSheffrey who picked himself up to dispatch the spot-kick low to Filan's right.

Jimmy Bullard, McCulloch, Whalley and Ellington all failed to restore Wigan's lead - but it was Coventry really ought to have been in front by half-time.

First, Michael Doyle produced a cross which Benjamin's contorted body managed to fire against the post.

Then came a brilliant double save from Filan, who beat down Doyle's venomous drive before showing outstanding agility to turn McSheffrey's mis-hit follow-up over the bar.

Filan misjudged the flight of a free-kick, but McSheffrey somehow bundled the ball wide from only a yard out.

With the snow beginning to swirl, the furious pace of the first half was never likely to be repeated in the second - and Wigan's measured approach looked more likely to pay dividends, although few could have predicted the manner of Ellington's winner

Coventry responded by replacing Isaac Osbourne with Stephen Hughes, Wigan boss Paul Jewell then bringing Jason Jarrett on for Whalley.

The hosts mustered the energy to push for a second equaliser, and McCulloch was lucky to escape with just a booking for hauling down Stern John.

Teams:

Coventry Bennett, Williams, Shaw (Jorgensen 20), Hall, Duffy, Doyle, Osbourne (Hughes 74), McSheffrey, Giddings (Whing 44), Benjamin, John.

Subs Not Used: Adebola, Barrett.

Booked: Doyle.

Goals: McSheffrey 22 pen.

Wigan Filan, Eaden (Wright 79), Jackson, Breckin, Baines, Teale, Bullard, Whalley (Jarrett 76), McCulloch, Ellington, Roberts (Graham 86).

Subs Not Used: Walsh, McMillan.

Booked: McCulloch, Jarrett.

Goals: Teale 9, Ellington 68.

Att: 12,130

Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire).