It was always going to be a nervy day and Derby didn't help by refusing to play any football. If the 2,500 travelling Derby supporters have had that inflicted on them week in week out, I feel really sorry for them.

They were an embarrassment and no excuses were going to cover up what a damn awful spectacle they tried to serve up. The Ram's first real shot with venom, was in the 88th minute.

The Latics back line of Scharner, Boyce, Melchiot and Debutant Edman, were far too good for an inept Derby attack that was restricted to a few pot luck shots that went wide of the mark.

The Latics midfield were also excellent, Valencia shoeing the way with some cracking runs, although he proved Steve Bruce right about his shooting as we saw a 4th minute shot of his rise high in to the stands.

Kilbane was putting in a dogged shift on the left, whilst the very consistent Palacios ruled the centre with Brown.

The forward line, although having decent service all game was the Achilles' heal. Neither Heskey nor King was in goal scoring mood as they squandered chance after chance.

The first half saw efforts for Heskey, King and Valencia go very wayward and in the case of King being flagged offside when one on one with the keeper, even though he was a yard on side.

Kilbane had a header cleared from close range and Melchiot actually scored, but the assistant ref didn't see that Barnes actually cleared the ball from behind the line not on it.

After a really testing first half, Latics came out on a mission in the second half to take the game at Derby.

Attacks were coming thick and fast, but it was Scharner on the hour mark who bagged first. As Heskey headed at Carroll from a corner the ex-Latic stopper then saved Ivanhoe's follow up only for it to land nicely for Scharner to tap into the goal.

Melchiot had a really good effort saved on the 81st minute before Valencia put the game in no doubt by controlling a wonderful cross ball from Palacios before he calmly rounded Stubbs to blast home Latic's second.

Derby was condemned well before this game, but we can all see why they won't be here next season.

Latics were worth the three points and should see us in good form for the trip to Eastlands next week and at home to the Trotters the week after.

They could restore a bit of pride though by whacking Sunderland next week and maybe getting results against Fulham and Middlesbrough may see them beat Sunderland's record of 15 points.

Report by Jason Taylor www.cockneylatic.co.uk