Wigan Athletic have booked their place in the Championship playoffs with a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Birmingham City this evening.
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Wigan took the lead just three minutes into the tie when Callum McManaman rounded two home defenders on the edge of the box before drilling a low strike past Darren Randolph.
Federico Macheda had a chance to get Birmingham back on level terms shortly after, but he was ruled offside as he battled in the air with Scott Carson.
The Wigan keeper had to remain alert throughout the first half as Emyr Huws sent a well-placed cross towards the away goal, but Carson was able to tip it behind.
Jordi Gomez tried to extend Wigan's lead before the break, but Randolph made sure that his side were just a goal down at half time.
After a scrappy start to the second half, McManaman found himself through on goal looking for his second of the evening, but slipped as he tried to shoot, giving the hosts an easy clearance.
Martin Waghorn tried to provide a cross for the lively striker shortly after, but the ball had too much pace, allowing Jonathan Spector to clear.
Nikola Zigic came close to levelling the scores for Birmingham 10 minutes into the second half, but he headed wide from Chris Burke's cross.
The home side, who occupy the final relegation place in the table, continued to apply pressure as they desperately looked to ease their fears of dropping into League One, but they were unable to find the back of the net before the end of the match.
The result means that Wigan join Derby County and Queens Park Rangers in the playoffs, while Birmingham will need one of the sides above them to slip up to avoid the drop at the weekend.
Sian Cowper
