Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic went joint top of Division Two after Andy Liddell grabbed a 65th minute winner in a close, hard fought contest against promotions rivals Millwall.

The game looked like ending in stalemate until Liddell's goal, which came off his shoulder, looped over Tony Warner in the Millwall goal.

Andy Liddell became Wigan's hero again as his 65th minute winner, albeit coming off his shoulder, secured all three points in a close encounter with last season's play-off semi-final opponents, moving Wigan into second place, with only goal difference keeping them off the summit.

Wigan's midfield had a slightly different look about it compared to recent weeks. Kevin Nicholls partnered Darren Sheridan in the centre, replacing Ian Kilford who picked up a hamstring injury during last Saturday's draw with Rotherham and Roberto Martinez missed the game through suspension.

Scott Green took his place on the right side of midfield, demoting Lee Ashcroft to the bench.

Neil Redfearn was brought into the game on 19 minutes when Kevin Nicholls went off with a worrying knee injury following a tackle.

The former Charlton Athletic midfielder, who was dogged throughout last season with a similar problem, will undergo a scan in the next couple of days to discover the extent of his injury.

The first half, while played at a furious pace, didn't offer up much to shout about in terms of chances.

However on 30 minutes Andy Liddell went very close to scoring on of his screamers but his shot from the edge of the box, which beat Tony Warner in the Millwall goal, clipped the top of the crossbar.

Millwall went straight on the attack from the resulting goal kick and went close themselves to breaking the deadlock after Tim Cahill found Richard Sadlier in the area but his shot on goal was well held by Roy Carroll.

HALF TIME: Wigan 0 Millwall 0

The second half proved more entertaining and just before the hour Neil Redfearn could have done better with his effort but fired straight at the Millwall keeper.

Wigan's winner came on 65 minutes when Redfearn lobbed a teasing ball from the right into the middle of a cluster of players deep inside the Millwall penalty area.

ANDY LIDDELL sneaked in and the ball came off his head, bounced off his shoulder and looped over Tony Warner and sneaked in by the far post for his 7th goal of the season.

Latics came close to extending the single goal lead on 72 minutes Scott Green head over from close range from a Kevin Sharp cross.

Millwall took control of the game in the final minutes and it was Roy Carroll in the Wigan goal who gave an outstanding performance in front of numerous managers and scouts, denying Millwall on a number of occassions.

With less than 10 minutes remaining Paul Ifill laid the ball to Neil Harris on the edge of the area who fired a thunderous low shot at goal but Carroll got down well to block with his leg only for the ball to land at the feet of Ryan.

Ryan let fly with a first time shot but Carroll again instinctively blocked with his legs.

Carroll was again called on with five minutes of normal time remaining. David Livermore hit a rocket from over 20 yards out but the Wigan keeper was equal to it, pushing the ball around the post and out for a corner.

Livermore was thwarted agian in the dying seconds, again seeing his effort from outside the area put behind by the Northern Ireland international shot stooper.

Three valuable points from their game in hand and now only goal difference separates Wigan and top placed Walsall, the only team to put one over on Latics so far this season.

FULL TIME: Wigan 1 Millwall 0