Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic crept within a point of the top of the table and buried the hoodoo of Oldham with it thanks to a 3-1 victory over the 'other' Athletic at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan's Lee Ascroft cancelled out a John Sheridan strike before two goals from substitute Neil Roberts settled the tie.

Wigan Athletic finally buried the ghost of Oldham past as they sailed past the 'other' Athletic at the JJB Stadium.

John Sheridan, the brother of Wigan midfielder Darren had given Andy Ritchie's side a shock lead in the 21st minute when his free kick from outside the area crashed against the underside of the crossbar and landed over the line after Wigan had enjoyed the Lion's share of possession.

Oldham did llok dangerous on their ventures upfield but the majority of play in the first half was in the Oldham half of the field but for all their work Wigan looked incapable of scoring.

However the homeside levelled just before the interval when an attack was cleared as far as Lee Ashcroft 15 yards out and his strike took no enemies and nearly ripped the back of the net out.

Half Time: Wigan 1 Oldham 1

Whatever Wigan manager Bruce Rioch said to his team at half time definitely put the fear of God in them, and even though the first half performance wasn't the worst the fans had witnessed in recent times, they came out for the restart with nostrils flairing and a determination that could have killed from 50 yards.

Simon Haworth, who seemed to be hobbling slightly from an earlier challenge, was replaced by fellow Welshman NEIL ROBERTS after only 7 minutes of the second half and the former Wrexham striker didn't wait long to claim his 7th goal of the season after a Lee Ashcroft cross was flicked on by Andy Liddell and Roberts was waiting at the far post to nod in from close range.

The tie was settled with 11 minutes remained after a throw in from Scott Green was this time touched on by man of the match Lee Aschroft and NEIL ROBERTS was in the right place again to prod in at the near post to make it 3-1 and settle the local deeby.

Full Time: Wigan 3 Oldham 1