Wigan Athletic were beaten by relegation rivals Sunderland in their crucial battle to beat the drop at the Stadium of Light - Daryl Murphy sealing the win with a 25-yard wonder goal.
Goals in either half condemned them to defeat on Wearside, much to the disappointment of their travelling 1,000 fans.

Dickson Etuhu put Roy Keane's side ahead three minutes before half-time, meeting Dean Whitehead's free-kick which a thumping header.

And a stunning second from Daryl Murphy wrapped things up in the 75th minute, the Irishman cutting on from the wing and unleasing a 25-yard shot past Chris Kirkland.

But it could have been so different had Latics taken their chances which were plentiful.

Twice they struck the woodwork early in the second half but it wasn't to be their day.

In the 47th minute an amazing sequence of chances saw Latics denied three times.

Marlon King saw a shot parried by keeper Craig Gordon and Michael Brown's follow up was cleared off the line.

The ball ran out to Kevin Kilbane who struck a low shot against the foot of the post.

Five minutes later, Emile Heskey headed Jason Koumas' cross against the bar.

There was plenty of late pressure from Latics, Emmerson Boyce twice denied by Gordon, while King steered a header wide.

In the first half Steve Bruce's men had enjoyed plenty of the play and created the better of the chances.

But Etuhu's 43rd minute opener proved a sucker punch.

Scharner had volleyed wide from 30 yards early on and Wilson Palacios tried his luck from even further out, his right-foot shot dipping inches over.

Latics lost skipper Mario Melchiot and Ryan Taylor to injury, Melchiot with the reoccurence of a thigh strain and Taylor after taking a blow in the ribs.

Report by Jason Taylor www.cockneylatic.co.uk