Paul Jewell's return to the JJB Stadium ended in defeat as goals from Paul Scharner and Antonio Valencia earned Wigan a priceless 2-0 victory.

The versatile Scharner, playing as a centre-back, popped up at the back post to prod home following a scramble at a corner to give Wigan the three points that lifts them four points above the relegation zone in the Premier League table.

The scoreline would surely have been wider had it not been for fine defensive performances from veteran Derby centre-back pairing Darren Moore (33) and Alan Stubbs (36).

Stephen Pearson had the first effort on goal just seven minutes in, and should have done better than simply shoot straight at Chris Kirkland after the ball had been rolled perfectly into his path by Giles Barnes.

Kevin Kilbane had a fine chance to open the scoring on the quarter-hour, ghosting in unmarked to meet Wilson Palacios's cross from the right, only to plant his stooping effort straight at Roy Carroll.

Defender Mario Melchiot thought he had given his side a 24th-minute lead with a fine, improvised backheel after the ball broke to him on the edge of the six-yard box at a corner. He effort beat Carroll, although Barnes, on the back post, stuck out his boot to clear - with replays showing that perhaps the ball had, just, crossed the line.

After a bright start, the first half descended into a series of long-balls and head-football - until Emile Heskey missed a golden chance just before half-time when he sidefooted Kilbane's low cross straight at Carroll from six yards out.

The start of the second half continued in the same way as much of the first, with the heavy JJB Stadium pitch hindering the few attempts to play the ball along the grass.

But Wigan were certainly dominating the possession, and it came as no surprise when they did finally take the lead on the hour after a scramble from the Latics' ninth corner.

Carroll made a smart save as Heskey headed goalwards at the back stick, the Derby keeper also pawing away his follow-up effort, although unfortunately for his side it broke to Scharner at the back post to prod into the empty net.

Rams boss Jewell replaced the desperately impotent Hossam Ghaly with Mile Sterjovski as he looked for a way back into the match, with another substitute Emanuel Villa finally bringing a save out of Kirkland with an overhead effort from 12 yards out.

But it was the home side who were still pressing, and Valencia made sure of the points with six minutes remaining, brilliantly controlling a cross at the far post, cutting inside his marker before lashing a shot high into the roof of the net from six yards out.

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport