A first-half double from Nathan Ellington inspired Wigan to a victory over struggling Wolves which moved them two points behind Championship leaders Ipswich.

Ellington took his season's goal tally to 17 in the space of eight first-half minutes.

Both goals came from corners, with the 23-year-old heading past Michael Oakes at the far post for the opener in the 17th minute, before sending the Wolves goalkeeper the wrong way with a spot-kick awarded for a Keith Andrews foul on Lee McCulloch.

Paul Jewell's side have turned the corner with consecutive wins after three straight defeats over Christmas - but the future looks far from bright for Glenn Hoddle's Wolves.

Having drawn their previous five matches under the former England boss 1-1, the new manager, who tasted defeat for the first time in his new job at the JJB Stadium, will be concerned at the manner of the goals conceded, as well as the fact his side never looked like getting back into the match.

They had no response as the home side slowed the pace and controlled the second period.

Despite their differing league positions and a poor quality playing surface, the visitors began with the greater poise and promise, with Andrews and Ki-Hyeon Seol particularly impressive.

Meanwhile, the Latics struggled to get going and symptomatic of their early problems was an intricate free-kick move which saw the ball bobble in front of Jimmy Bullard before the midfielder could get a convincing shot away.

As soon as the hosts found some fluency, they took the lead.

Fine work by Leighton Baines and McCulloch sent Ellington, who scored a fine goal in the 3-3 draw at Molineux in September, scampering clear down the left and Wolves were grateful to clear for a corner.

This time there were no Wigan mistakes from the set-piece, while Hoddle's men were guilty of slack defending, and Bullard's corner found an unmarked Ellington, who headed home at the far post.

The visitors immediately had a chance to reply, but Kenny Miller's improvised shot failed to cause Wigan goalkeeper John Filan too many problems.

Another Bullard corner caused Andrews to tug at McCulloch and furious protests from Wolves, the referee pointed to the spot.

There was a sense of inevitability as Ellington strode forward to clip the penalty into the right corner, after sending Oakes the wrong way, to double the lead.

Miller had a couple more opportunities as the half drew to a close, with a volley flying high and wide and clever lob tipped over by Filan, but the visitors went in at the break a daunting two goals in arrears.

Veteran midfielder Paul Ince replaced Andrews at the break after more than two months due to a loss of form and injury, but it was Wigan who continued to look the more likely with Oakes pulling off a fine save after David Graham's shot had deflected off Joleon Lescott, while at the other end Seol struck a free-kick narrowly over.

Hoddle brought on Leon Cort and Colin Cameron just past the hour but the Wigan defence were never posed any problems and it was Mike Flynn, who had replaced Ellington, who went closest to adding to the score with a glancing header from Jason Roberts' cross which deflected wide.

Nicky Eaden and Filan cut out a couple of dangerous Leon Cort crosses and Lee Naylor and Mark Clyde hit speculative shots way over.

But the Latics' advantage, which was no demonstration of their dominance, was never under threat on their way to collecting a routine three points.

Teams:

Wigan Filan, Eaden (Wright 83), Thome, Jackson, Baines, Graham (Teale 63), Bullard, Whalley, McCulloch, Roberts, Ellington (Flynn 76).

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Mahon.

Goals: Ellington 17, 26 pen.

Wolverhampton Oakes, Clyde, Lescott, Craddock, Naylor, Olofinjana, Andrews (Ince 46), Kennedy (Cameron 62), Miller (Clarke 63), Seol, Cort.

Subs Not Used: Murray, Newton.

Booked: Clyde, Craddock.

Att: 10,135

Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).