Football: Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Rochdale

Michael Jacob’s first half goal was enough to earn promotion hopeful’s Wigan Athletic maximum points at a bitterly cold DW Stadium. Jacob’s raced on to a long ball up field before firing a first time shot into the bottom corner of Josh Lillis’ net.

Ian Henderson had a glorious chance to level for Dale late in the first half but he volleyed wide from the edge of the area.

With Joe Rafferty ill, Scott Wiseman came in to the right wingback role whilst Ollie Rathbone started ahead of Stephen Humphrys.

The first real opportunity of the game brought about the first goal and it was a real route one goal. A long goal kick from Walton found its way through to Jacob’s who raced away before finishing across Lillis and inside the far post.

The first half saw very few clear-cut opportunities.

Lillis pushed away a Jacob’s effort.

A tremendous lifted ball by Camps found Henderson on the edge of the box. The Dale captain steadied himself but his volley flashed just wide of the left hand post.

From the goal kick, Wigan sent another long kick towards Walker and the striker rounded Lillis but could not find the target with just a defender on the line.

Dale looked better after the break, although they never seriously troubled Walton in the Wigan goal.

Henderson fired a looping header over the bar from substitute Stephen Davies.

Davies was foiled by a very good block from close range.

Wigan came close to doubling their advantage with ten minutes left but Max Power saw his 20 yard free kick crash back off the face of the cross bar.

Defeat leaves Dale bottom of the league, eleven points from safety ahead of the FA Cup Fifth round replay at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday evening. 

Wigan: Walton, Daniels, Dunkley, Burn, James, Fulton, Power, Jacobs (c), Colclough (Perkins 62), Walker (Massey 62), Vaughan (Grigg 75)
Subs: (not used) Jones, Cole, Bruce, Roberts

Rochdale: Lillis, Wiseman, McGahey, McNulty (Davies 41), Delaney, Done, Camps (Knott 59), Cannon, Kitching, Henderson (c), Rathbone (Hart 54)
Subs: (not used) Moore, Humphry’s Thompson, Inman

Referee: Mr B Toner
Assistants: Mr K Mulraine and Mr A Greenwood
Fourth Official: Mr S Stockbridge

Attendance: 8,645 (483 from Rochdale)