Lee McCulloch's fourth goal of the season proved enough to edge out Manchester City at Eastlands and seal Wigan's second double of the current campaign.

Paul Jewell named an unchanged starting line up for the third successive game with the only change in personnel coming on the bench with Alan Mahon replacing David Thompson who'd picked up a knock in midweek playing for the reserves.

City made eight changes to the side that had started against Aston Villa in Tuesday night's FA Cup replay, only David James, Sun Jihai and Trevor Sinclair retaining their places for Wigan's visit.

Wigan created the first real chance of the game with Henri Camara capitalising on a defensive error, Danny Mills' poor clearance coming off Jason Roberts with David Sommeil then failing to deal with the loose ball which allowed the Senegal international to have a shot on goal but his effort cleared the bar.

Latics were then lucky not to find themselves behind in what can only be described as a freak incident when John Filan attempted to throw the ball upfield after gathering a corner. The ball hit the back of Sylan Distin's head and the Australian could only watch in horror as it came back off the upright. However had it gone in it wouldn't have counted as the referee had blown for a free kick to the visitors.

Eight minutes later Gary Teale went close but James was on hand to deny the Scottish winger and then Leighton Baines' hard work was all in vain after the young left back had got the better of Danny Mills to deliver a ball across goal looking for Roberts but instead found the City keeper who comfortably collected.

The home side probably should have done better when Bradley Wright-Phillips played in substitute Georgios Samaras in the penalty area but the Greek could only direct his weak attempt straight at Filan.

Stephen Ireland earned City a free kick in a dangerous position just before the break after being brought down by Baines. The 17-year-old striker sent the ball into the box forcing Filan to punch clear.

Wigan finally took the lead in the 55th minute when McCulloch planted Jimmy Bullard's inch perfect corner after David James had fluffed his attempt at clearing a back pass. Instead of booting the ball upfield the England keeper sliced it behind him and towards the byeline.

Bullard's ambitious shot was then easily dealt with by James and at the other end Wigan born Lee Croft, on as a replacement for Claudio Reyna, fired wide after picking up the ball from a Sun Jihai corner.

As the game neared its conclusion Trevor Sinclair had what was City's only shot on target of the entire game when he charged down the right before moving in on goal but the former West Ham and QPR midfielder's low shot was eventually gathered by Filan.

Then deep into stoppage time Jason Roberts found himself clear in the area with only James to beat.

You would have laid money on the Wigan frontman hitting the back of the net but James did well to save, racing off his line to block with his body at the expense of a corner.