Zaki on the spot again to give Wigan third win in a row

Egyptian striker Amr Zaki scored his 10th goal of the season from a penalty to hand Wigan a 1-0 win over Bolton and record their third successive Premiership win here on Sunday.

Zaki, who is on loan from Zamalek but who Wigan are desperate to sign on a permanent basis, slotted home in the 44th minute just moments after he had looked likely to join strike partner Emile Heskey on the sidelines as the England international had to go off with what looked like a hamstring injury.

Zaki's penalty – his second in successive games after converting the winner against Newcastle on Friday – extended Bolton's fallow period of form with four defeats in their last five matches.

Wigan made the breakthrough shortly before half-time when former Republic of Ireland defender Andy O'Brien was adjudged by referee Phil Dowd to have fouled an opponent in the penalty area and Zaki slotted home the resulting penalty.

Dowd, who sent-off Chelsea captain John Terry last week against Everton, was to make himself even less popular in the second-half with the home fans when he ruled that Danny Shittu's header had not crossed the line in the 52nd minute and had been cleared by Wilson Palacios.

However, Wigan had 'keeper Mike Politt, who wasn't even in the squad for the match until Chris Kirkland injured his groin in the pre-match warm-up, to thank for not allowing a Bolton equaliser when he made an outstanding double save from Swedish international striker Johan Elmander.

However, that was as much a threat as Bolton could manage and Wigan dealt easily with their makeshift attack of Elmander, Kevin Davies and Shittu to give their manager Steve Bruce a welcome early 48th birthday present.