Sunderland 0-1 Wigan

Camara is congratulated by De Zeeuw after his stunning effort

A spectacular goal by Wigan striker Henri Camara consigned Sunderland caretaker manager Kevin Ball to defeat in his first game in charge.

Sunderland's Nyron Nosworthy miscued a clearance on eight minutes and Camara struck with a stunning 20-yard shot.

Wigan keeper John Filan tipped over a volley from Stephen Elliott and saved a Kevin Kyle shot to keep his side ahead.

Jon Stead had a late chance to level but he could not bundle the ball in after Dean Whitehead's parried shot.

The match was the start of a new era for Sunderland but it was the same old story for them as they soon found themselves a goal down after Camara pounced on Nosworthy's defensive mistake.

Ball tries to encourage his Sunderland side from the sidelines

Frustratingly for the home side, they needed to go a goal down to bring the best out of them while a lack of fortune in front of goal only compounded their misery.

Sunderland striker Elliott should have done better than shoot too close to Filan when he broke clear before he saw a dipping volley tipped over by the Wigan keeper.

Rory Delap had a far-post shot blocked by Filan before Kyle thought he had equalised only for the offside flag justifiably coming to Wigan's rescue.

Another Kyle shot was saved by an inspired Filan before Wigan almost delivered a killer blow to their hosts on the stroke of half-time.

Lee McCulloch side-footed an inswinging free-kick towards goal and it took an instinctive dive at full-length by Sunderland keeper Kelvin Davis to palm his effort wide.

Another brilliant win for Wigan. A Uefa Cup place is within our reach! From QS Have your say on 606

The visitors did not allow Sunderland as much time on the ball after the break with chances for the home side becoming increasingly rare as the game progressed.

Stead had their best chance in injury-time when Whitehead's first-time shot was saved by Filan only for Stead's woes in front of goal to continue as he agonsingly bundled the ball wide.

Sunderland have not won at home in the Premiership this season and were ulimately held at bay in comfortable fashion as they suffered their 23rd league defeat of the campaign.

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Sunderland caretaker-manager Kevin Ball:
"I enjoyed the occasion, albeit I'm disappointed with the final result.

"The players reacted very well to the goal and we created a lot of chances but unfortunately we couldn't hit the back of the net.

"When you do lose it does affect confidence. That is something we have to be mentally strong about and say 'ok it will come' and I'll make sure it does. We have to keep believing."

Wigan boss Paul Jewell:
"If it wasn't for our goalkeeper we could have been beaten. It was a really impressive performance by John. He made saves at vital time for us.

"We looked tired and the pitch wasn't good but we scrambled away and got three points.

"It would be wonderful to get into Europe but our only aim is to finish the season strongly. I don't want the season to peter out because it doesn't deserve that."

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Sunderland: Davis, Nosworthy, Collins, Caldwell, McCartney, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Delap (Le Tallec 63), Arca (Lawrence 45), Kyle, Elliott (Stead 86).
Subs Not Used: Joe Murphy, Hoyte.

Booked: Kyle.

Wigan: Filan, Chimbonda, Scharner, De Zeeuw, Baines, Teale (Thompson 58), Kavanagh (Ziegler 63), Bullard, McCulloch, Camara (Johansson 82), Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Walsh, Jackson.

Goals: Camara 8.

Att: 31,194

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).