Report by John Patrick Heeley

Latics return to summit after convincing win

Wigan Athletic moved back to the top of Division Two thanks to a comfortable victory over Lawrie Sanchez's Wycombe Wanderers at the JJB Stadium.

Lee McCulloch's third goal of the season set Latics up for the victory with two more Andy Liddell goals sealing the three points.

As he said he may do, Paul Jewell made a number of changes from the starting line-up that had lost at Colchester the previous weekend.

Tony Dinning and Mike Flynn were dropped to the bench to make way for Paul Mitchell, making his first appearance of the season, and Jason Jarrett.

Ian Breckin failed a late fitness test after injuring his foot in training so Matt Jackson moved inside to partner Jason De Vos in the heart of defence and Ged Brannan returned to the starting eleven at right back.

It didn't take long for Wigan to push their nose ahead with LEE McCULLOCH netting an Andy Liddell cross from close range in only the third minute of the game.

Liddell, who admitted after the game that he had been close to pulling out of the game because of a death in the family, went close to doubling the lead 5 minutes later when Scott Green nodded the ball down to him but the former Barnsley man hit his low shot marginally wide of the mark.

He was then caught offside with 11 minutes on the clock as he headed a right wing cross against the post.

Wycombe weren't really causing Wigan any real problems but gave them a bit of a scare in the 14th minute when a right wing Danny Senda cross grazed the cross bar and moments later John Filan made a brave save at Andy Rammell's feet to deny the former Walsall striker.

Latics edged further in front in the 36th minute with a move that started from a long Jason De Vos throw into the area.

The ball wasn't cleared properly by Wycombe, allowing De Vos to collect before side footing it to ANDY LIDDELL who hammered home a low shot from just outside of the area.

Wycombe defender Roger Johnson headed wide from a corner in the 66th minute while Lawrie Sanchez was waiting to make a couple of changes to his team with Darren Currie and Sean Devine leaving the field moments later to make way for Keith Ryan and Stuart Roberts.

Wigan were forced to make a change themselves with 20 minutes remaining when Ged Brannan limped off to be replaced by Gary Teale.

Wigan went close to wrapping up the game in the 79th minute when Andy Liddell ran onto a long ball around the half way line.

Rotherham referee Howard Webb did well to play the advantage as Liddell was brought to ground, but not before releasing Ellington.

The Duke raced forward with Teale in support and was being pulled all over the place for his efforts.

Despite the unwarranted attention he was receiving Ellington managed to get in a teasing shot which saw keeper Frank Talia pull off a superb save to palm over the bar for a Wigan corner.

Gary Teale placed a shot wide a minute later after he had outpaced former Glasgow Rangers and Burnley defender Chris Vinnicombe to create an opening for himself and 2 minutes later McCulloch saw his shot deflected behind for a corner.

The board showed 4 minutes of stoppage time was to be added by the referee - just enough time for ANDY LIDDELL to add his second of the afternoon and in doing so notched up his 50th league goal in a Wigan shirt.

Paul Mitchell, who had been impressive throughout the game, sent a long ball down the right wing, picking out Liddell who raced into the area and from a tight angle fired the ball beyond.

Brentford, who had topped the table prior to the game, had been held to a goalless draw at home to Luton and second placed Plymouth had their game against Cardiff City postponed due to international meetings, leaving the door open for Wigan to move above the two sides and Bristol City who had gone into third spot after Friday night's 3-0 victory over Northampton Town.