Latics maintain pole position
Wigan survived a late scare today against Plymouth to win 2-1 and remain top of the Coca-Cola Championship.
Two second half goals from striker Jason Roberts set the Latics on their way to victory at Home Park but Stephen Crawford pulled one back 12 minutes from full time.
But Paul Jewell’s men hung on and remain a point clear at the top.
Ipswich’s hopes of putting pressure on Wigan were dealt a blow by Burnley at Portman Road.
Robbie Blake put the visitors ahead after 19 minutes and the Clarets were ahead until the final minute.
Matt Richards scored a last-gasp goal for Joe Royle’s side and it finished 1-1.
Reading leapfrogged Ipswich after a narrow win at Stoke.
Nicky Shorey scored the only goal of the game four minutes before the break and Steve Coppell’s side held on to win at the Britannia Stadium.
QPR also put the pressure on the leaders with a 1-0 victory in the London derby against West Ham – their seventh successive league win.
Matthew Rose scored the only goal of the game after 22 minutes as Ian Holloway’s side dented their rivals’ promotion hopes.
Sunderland followed the trend of promotion hopefuls scraping victories with a 1-0 win against Millwall lifting them up to fifth.
However, Mick McCarthy’s side were fortunate as their winner came when Kevin Muscat’s own goal 18 minutes from time.
The Australia international became frustrated and was booked two minutes after his blunder.
Watford had a great chance of making up ground on their promotion rivals – but blew a two-goal lead at Derby.
Heidar Helguson scored twice in the first 14 minutes – the second a spectacular drive – but the Hornets still dropped points.
Tommy Smith gave the Rams hope when he pulled one back just before half time and Grzegorz Rasiak snatched an equaliser five minutes from time.
Leicester remained uninspired despite the departure of Micky Adams as boss this week.
The Foxes drew 1-1 at Coventry after taking the lead 20 minutes from time through Dion Dublin.
But Chris Makin’s own goal 10 minutes later meant the points were shared.
Danny Pugh scored a late winner for Leeds as they beat Preston 1-0 at Elland Road, striking with 12 minutes left to ease Kevin Blackwell’s relegation fears.
David Healy, subject to a bid from the West Yorkshire club, played for North End but failed to score.
Crewe took the points against Brighton in the clash at Gresty Road.
Kenny Lunt, Andy White and Michael Higdon all scored for Dario Gradi’s side and Albert Jarrett scored a consolation for the visitors.
Cardiff won their basement battle with Rotherham at Ninian Park.
Peter Thorne scored twice in the second half to leave the Millers rooted to the bottom of the table.
