Emile Heskey grabbed his first goal in 20 games to hand 10-man Wigan a well-earned 1-0 victory over struggling neighbours Bolton at The JJB.Heskey netted midway through the first half to fire the home side six points clear of their struggling local rivals despite playing the majority of the game with 10 men.

Jason Koumas was shown a straight red card by referee Steve Tanner for a challenge on Gary Cahill after just five minutes, adding to the increasing debate of late regarding the raising of studs.

While Koumas just caught Cahill, the midfielder clearly led with only his right boot that was no more than a few inches off the ground as he challenged for a 50-50 ball.

But Wigan still soon took the lead after 34 minutes when captain Mario Melchiot looped a long throw into the heart of the area where Heskey stole in front of Gretar Steinsson to hook the ball home from eight yards.

Five minutes later El-Hadji Diouf thought he had equalised as Bolton at last pressed forward with some urgency. But the Senegal striker was penalised for controlling a Kevin Davies cross with his hand before stabbing home.

Chris Kirkland produced a point-blank save in the second half to deny Kevin Nolan and Michael Brown then appeared to use his left arm to block a far-post, downward header from Davies following a Matt Taylor corner.

But despite furious protests from the Bolton players, with Nolan running halfway down the pitch to confront the referee as Wigan broke upfield, the Whites were denied an equaliser.

Erik Edman then rescued Wigan as he headed off the line as Wigan held on to move 12th with the Trotters deep in trouble in 18th.

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