Premier League: Blackpool 1 Wigan 3

Wigan earned their best away league result this season to claim a crucial victory over relegation rivals Blackpool.

The visitors took the lead in the third minute when Hugo Rodallega broke clear and slotted the ball through the legs of Blackpool keeper Matthew Gilks.

Shortly after, Neal Eardley forced Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi to tip his

cross over the bar.

At the other end Gilks had to make a similar fisted clearance from a free kick, and a smart run from Charles N’Zogbia only resulted in a corner.

In added time at the end of the half, N’Zogbia showed some individual brilliance to double his side’s lead.

Collecting the ball midway inside the Blackpool half, he ran past two defenders before firing past Gilks.

Elliot Grandin should have pulled a Blackpool goal back before the interval whistle, but his header went straight at Ali Al-Habsi who held on.

The second half was similar to the first, with very few chances being created by both teams.

The best early opportunity came when Gilks unconvincingly parried away an N’Zogbia cross, however no Wigan player was following in for the loose ball.

The game was put beyond Ian Holloway’s men in the 66th minute when Mohammed Diame’s shot from outside the box took a wicked deflection off Eardley, sending the ball into the corner of the helpless Gilks’ goal.

DJ Campbell managed to reduce the deficit for the home side in the 83rd minute but it was too little too late from a disappointing Blackpool side.

Wigan climb out of the bottom three as a result of the win while Blackpool slip into the drop zone for the first time this season.