Report by John Patrick Heeley

Skipper Stuart Balmer made amends for a costly first-half gaffe to head unbeaten Wigan to a 2-1 home win over Wycombe and back to the top of the Second Division.

The big defender converted an expertly flighted corner from Roberto Martinez in the 61st minute to seal the points for John Benson's side.

The goal left Balmer a relieved man because it was his 26th minute blunder that gave Wycombe the lead when he headed a through ball past his own keeper Derek Stillie into the path of Jermaine McSporran who fired into an unguarded net.

Wigan shook off their lethargy when Stuart Barlow equalised three minutes before the break when he headed a Scott Green cross past Wycombe keeper Martin Taylor for his 18th goal of the season to become the country's joint leading scorer alongside England captain Alan Shearer.

But Wigan made heavy weather of the win against a Wycombe side who showed few ill effects from their inconclusive FA Cup tie against Oxford City on Tuesday night.

Wigan never really found their rhythm in a game which saw referee Trevor Parkes hand out seven yellow cards.

Even after Balmer's strike Wigan lived dangerously with the lively McSporran twice coming close before midfielder Michael O'Neill came to their rescue when he headed a Sean Devine header off the line from a corner leaving Stillie to punch clear.