Wigan moved back into Nationwide First Division play-off places with a professional 3-0 victory over relegation-haunted Gillingham.

Paul Jewell's men bounced back from their shock defeat against Wimbledon at the weekend courtesy of goals from Nathan Ellington, Jason Roberts and Alan Mahon.

Ellington scored his 17th goal of the season after 33 minutes when he latched on to Jimmy Bullard's free-kick with a blistering finish that left goalkeeper Steve Banks with no chance.

With three minutes of the first half remaining, Roberts extended his side's advantage with a crisp strike from close range, while Mahon's smart header after 67 minutes merely underlined Wigan's stranglehold on the game.

The defeat leaves Gillingham just two points off the relegation zone and on the evidence of this lacklustre display, manager Andy Hessenthaler has it all to do to preserve their First Division status.

It was only a matter of time before Wigan opened the scoring, and Ellington thought he had done just that shortly after the half-hour mark.

Mahon's scuffed strike from the edge of the penalty box was parried by Banks into the path of the Wigan striker who stabbed the ball into the back of the net.

Ellington wheeled away to celebrate, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

However, the former Bristol Rovers striker legitimately fired his side into the driving seat soon afterwards.

Jimmy Bullard's exquisite free-kick - after Nicky Southall had fouled Mahon - found Ellington in acres of space who controlled well, before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.

Gillingham were all at sea and nine minutes later Roberts put clear water between the two sides with a fine finish from just inside the six-yard box after Andy Liddell sent over a pinpoint delivery from the right flank.

Normal business was resumed after the interval and Roberts almost put the game out of Gillingham's reach when his 25-yard rocket whistled inches over the crossbar just before the hour mark.

The gulf in class between the two sides was there for all to see, and Mahon ensured Wigan would be leaving Kent with maximum points after 62 minutes.

Liddell was again chief orchestrator with another telling ball into the danger area which found Mahon who made no mistake with a textbook glancing header into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Gillingham rallied gamely to restore some degree of pride but the damage was already done as Wigan waltzed back to fourth place in the First Division table.

Teams:

Gillingham Banks, Southall, Hope, Leon Johnson, Rose (Cox 75), Hessenthaler, Pouton, Spiller (Crofts 82), Agyemang (Jarvis 53), Sidibe, Wales.

Subs Not Used: Bossu, Beckwith.

Wigan Filan, Eaden, Breckin, De Vos, Baines, Liddell, Jarrett, Bullard (Farrelly 85), Mahon, Ellington (Neil Roberts 85), Jason Roberts (McCulloch 78).

Subs Not Used: Mitchell, Walsh.

Booked: Jason Roberts, Baines.

Goals: Ellington 33, Jason Roberts 42, Mahon 67.

Att: 7,410

Ref: S Tomlin (E Sussex).