Nathan Ellington snatched a late winner at the JJB Stadium to keep Wigan hot
on the heels of promotion pacesetters Norwich and West Brom.
Just as it seemed Wigan were going to be denied by inspired Walsall 'keeper
James Walker, the Latics striker rifled home his 16th goal of the season in the
81st minute to cut the gap on second-placed West Brom, who went down at home to
Rotherham.
Walker was in brilliant form for the Saddlers, pulling off a string of fine
saves, particularly in the second period, to keep Wigan at bay before
Ellington's crucial late winner.
Prompted by Jason Jarrett, Wigan wrestled control of midfield after quarter of
an hour with a succession of crosses from Leighton Baines, Jason Roberts and
Alan Mahon keeping Walsall penned in.
But it was Walsall who had the first shot on goal in a scrappy opening, Steve
Corica's 25-yard left-footer flying wide.
Wigan laboured hard to create an opening and it was Walsall who went closest
again when Simon Osborn hit a screamer on the volley from 35 yards just over the
crossbar.
Wigan had to wait 23 minutes before they got a shot in on goal, Mahon's volley
from similar distance blocked by Paul Ritchie.
Wigan's usual cut and thrust was missing in the first half with the visitors'
back three of Ritchie, Matt Carbon and Darren Bazeley stifling home strikers
Roberts and Ellington.
Walker comfortably dealt with two more crosses from Mahon and Bullard before
tipping the latter's 30-yard effort over the bar, while at the other end Emblen
kept John Filan on his toes with a close-range shot following Simon Osborn's
cross.
Wigan showed more purpose after the restart with Jason De Vos forcing Walker
into a smart save when he met Bullard's corner with a powerful header and
Ellington going close with a 30-yard drive.
Andy Liddell was next to be denied by the busy Walker, who turned the Wigan
striker's goalbound shot round his post and then held a stinging 18-yarder from
Roberts.
Bullard, struggling with a knee injury, was replaced by Lee McCulloch with 20
minutes remaining, while Walsall's Julian Bennett was sent on for the limping
Matt Carbon.
Bazeley blocked McCulloch's header, Ritchie hacked clear Mahon's corner and
Zigor Aranalde hoofed successive crosses from Mahon and Nicky Eaden to safety.
Roberts then spurned a gilt-edged chance from six yards and just when Bazeley
offered his over-worked defence some respite with a shot that went close at the
other end, Ellington struck the decisive blow.
Roberts found space out wide on the right and his precision pass was
clinically despatched from 20 yards by his strike partner with Walker beaten at
last in the 81st minute.
Wigan poured forward and forced three more outstanding saves from the inspired
Walker.
Mahon's effort from 30 yards was brilliantly held in mid-flight, and further
long-range shots from both Ellington and Roberts were expertly taken by the
Walsall 'keeper.
Liddell was unlucky not to cap an impressive display with a goal when his late
free-kick came back off the woodwork.
Teams
Wigan: Filan, Eaden, Breckin, De Vos, Baines, Liddell, Jarrett,
Bullard (McCulloch 70), Mahon, Jason Roberts,
Ellington (Mitchell 90).
Subs Not Used: Walsh, Jackson, McMillan.
Goals: Ellington 81.
Walsall: Walker, Emblen, Ritchie, Carbon (Bennett 70), Bazeley,
Osborn, Kris Taylor, Corica (Matias 73), Aranalde,
Wales (Birch 82), Leitao.
Subs Not Used: Petterson, Wright.
Booked: Emblen.
Att: 7,593
Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
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