Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic returned to the top of the Coca Cola Championship table after temporarily losing their grip following their draw at at Derby last weekend.

Rotherham United, struggling at the foot of the table and without a single win in the league this season, failed to threaten Paul Jewell's side and their 100% record at the JJB Stadium never looked like being maintained by a side that lacked....well let's say everything apart from goalkeeper Mike Pollitt who pulled off a string of decent saves to keep the score respectable for the visitors.

Gary Teale was ruled out for the game after picking up a knee injury at Vicarage Road but Wigan had Lee McCulloch to call upon again as the former Motherwell forward returned from suspension.

Alan Mahon moved into the centre of midfield, David Graham, making his first league start for Wigan, lined up down the right wing in place of the injured Teale and Gareth Whalley dropped back to the bench.

The game started at a canter with neither side really bothering the opposition keeper in the opening few minutes but then Wigan began to turn up the heat with Pollitt forced into a save from Nathan Ellington after the Wigan number nine had been teed up by David Graham and moments later and Jason Roberts saw his effort blocked away by defender Robbie Stockdale.

It came as no surprise really when Latics broke the deadlock with 10 minutes on the clock, the Ellington-Roberts strike partnership showing yet again why they are rated as the most lethal in the Championship.

Roberts eased the ball through to Ellington who beat off the attention of his markers before squaring the ball to JASON ROBERTS to nip the ball home for his 8th goal of the season.

Roberts almost doubled his tally for the afternoon midway through the first half after Alan Mahon nodded on David Graham's right wing cross but Pollitt was on hand to collect Roberts' effort after skipper Chris Swailes had almost headed an attempted clearance into his own net, the ball curling around the near post and behind for a corner.

Graham was himself denied his first Latics goal 10 minutes later when Roberts' pass picked out the former Torquay United striker but his powerful volley was somehow forced behind by the Rotherham keeper for a corner.

As the opening half drew to a close Roberts broke clear and looked nailed on for a second goal but Pollitt positioned himself perfectly and denied the Wigan frontman, saving with his legs.

Paul Warne was introduced to the action for the second half, Darren Garner making way for the former Wigan striker during the half time break.

Within seconds of the restart Ronnie Moore's men were almost level but that was about it as for as opportunities went for the visiting side, Swailes heading a Paul McLaren corner narrowily over John Filan's bar.

Despite that Wigan hardly got into top gear but were still head and shoulders above the South Yorkshire side and almost nudged themselves further in front with McCulloch seeing his shot blocked away by former Middlesborough defender Stockdale just before the hour mark.

Six minutes later and Pollitt was again on hand to keep out Roberts at close range with an excellent save but unfortunately for the visitors the loose ball fell kindly for ALAN MAHON who coolly rattled the ball home.

Wigan continued to pressure Rotherham and Bullard went close with a decent attempt but Pollitt pushed the ball away and moments later Graham sent a low drive marginally wide of the upright from 15 yards out.

With Reading dropping their first home points of the season, courtesy of a goalless draw against Burnley, Wigan moved a point clear of the Berkshire side at the top of the table.