Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic manager tasted victory for the first time with his new club against already relegated Oxford United at the JJB Stadium.

The former Manchester United skipper picked his first team since taking over the reins and opted for a three striker all out attacking formation.

His decision paid off with all three forwards getting on the score sheet.

The victory, which sees Latics pull 4 points clear of nearest rivals Bristol City, was marred by the sending off of on loan midfielder Paul Dalglish for a clash with Oxford's Paul Fear in the 76th minute.

The dismissal could result in a three match suspension which would be a major blow for the son of the legendary Kenny Dalglish at this critical point in the season.

Simon Haworth returned to the starting line up and teamed up with Lee McCulloch and Lee Ashcroft in the forward line.

Haworth repaid his manager's confidence in him by giving Wigan the lead after only six minutes.

Lively Steve McMillan got forward and put in a superb cross which SIMON HAWORTH gratefully converted from yards out leaving Richard Knight in the Oxford goal no chance.

Oxford with nothing left to play for this season apart from professional pride didn't drop their heads however, and their £75,000 January signing from Brentford almost dragged his side back into the game just after the quarter of an hour mark but after collecting a cross from the wing his effort sailed wide of Carroll's post.

Scott, who scored for Brentford against Wigan in December, then turned provider minutes later when he set up Sam Ricketts but the youngster could only manage to put the ball into the seats, firing high over the crossbar.

Ashcroft and Dalglish both threatened Knight's goal but lacked the finishing touch before Scott again went close for the visitors when he got on the end of a free kick but his teasing header went agonisingly inches over the bar.

Oxford levelled matters five minutes before the interval after a good move down the left by JOEY BEAUCHAMP, who raced into the area.

Carroll came off his line to block the winger's first effort on goal but Beauchamp collected the ball again and slipped it past Carroll from a tight angle.

It didn't take long for Wigan to reclaim the lead and three minutes later Haworth sprinted into the area, beat Oxford skipper and former Latics star Darren Patterson but was unneccesarily tripped from behind as he ball appeared to be on it's way out for a goal kick.

The referee didn't hesitate in point to the spot and LEE ASHCROFT stepped up to bang in his fifth league goal of the season.

Ashcroft didn't return to the field for the second half after picking up a konock to the head and was replaced by Kevin Nicholls.

Ashcroft is now rated doubtful for the local derby clash against Bury at Gigg Lane on Monday.

Latics scored a third goal for only the fourth time in the league this season and did it in style.

Darren Sheridan floated a corner into the middle of the area eventually finding LEE MCCULLOCH with his back to goal and surrounding by players but Wigan's £750,000 capture from Motherwell coolly controlled the ball and hammered the ball through the Oxford defence and left Knight standing with an overhead kick giving the Scot his second goal in a Wigan shirt and his first at the JJB.

Dalglish, who had already been yellow carded just after the hour mark, saw red with 10 minutes remaining.

The on-loan Norwich City midfielder got himself tangled up with former Wimbledon midfielder Peter Fear and appeared to lash out leaving the Staffordshire official no option, after consultation with his assistant, but to give Dalglish a straight red card.

Wigan closed ranks in a bid to keep on to their two goal lead but were hit with a second from Oxford with only stoppage time remaining.

Joey Beauchamp charged down the left and squared the ball to ANDY SCOTT over on the opposite side of the penalty area and he calmly slotted home from yards out.

Carroll foolishly found himself in the referee's book when he kicked the ball away as Oxford tried to pick it out of the back of the net to force Wigan into a quick restart.

Latics held on and picked up their first victory on home soil since the 3-1 win over Oldham on January 20th and with Bristol City slipping up at Peterborough Latics could have secured a play-off spot before the Ashton Gate side make the trip North for the final game of the season.