Tranmere 0-2 Wigan

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Wigan and Tranmere Rovers both ended with ten men as Paul Jewell's men won to stay top of the Second Division.

The win, Wigan's third away success of the season, was enough to keep the Latics at the top of the table.

They gained a crucial breakthrough in the 53rd minute when Nathan Ellington netted from the spot after Ian Sharps brought down Andy Liddell.

Liddell retaliated and appeared to strike the Tranmere man and was immediately red-carded by Stockport official Steve Mathieson before the kick was taken.

Wigan made light of being a man short as they doubled their lead in the 66th minute - Ellington getting a touch at the far post to convert an angled header from Lee McCulloch.

Tranmere threw everything at the visitors, but Ryan Taylor fired against a post with a 20-yard free-kick in the 86th minute and, from the rebound, Stuart Barlow saw his effort kicked off the line.

The Merseysiders had been reduced to 10 men themselves in the 76th minute when former Wigan striker Simon Haworth went off for his second booking for a foul on Paul Mitchell.

Mickey Mellon worked tirelessly for Tranmere and was unlucky to see a late effort tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper John Filan.

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Tranmere: Achterberg, Taylor, Allen, Sharps, Roberts, Mellon, Curtis, Jones, Price, Haworth, Barlow. Subs: Parkinson, Welch, Hume, Olsen, Edwards.

Wigan: Filan, Brannan, Jackson, De Vos, McMillan, Green, Mitchell, Jarrett, McCulloch, Liddell, Ellington. Subs: Roberts, Flynn, Ashcroft, Teale, Yeomans.

Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire)