Wigan Athletic claim much-needed win at Blackpool

Wigan Athletic did their chances of surviving the drop the power of good with a 3-1 win away to fellow Championship strugglers Blackpool.

Both sides made a subdued start and there were no clear-cut chances in the opening stages, but a vital interception from Grant Hall was all that prevented Latics winger Kim Bo-kyung from going clean through on goal in the 17th minute.

Sheyi Ojo carved out a half-chance for Wigan moments later and let fly from outside the box, but the youngster's effort failed to trouble Blackpool stopper Joe Lewis.

Just as a dour first half looked destined to end with the deadlock intact, Kim bundled the ball home following a goalmouth scramble in the Blackpool box, knocking Jermaine Pennant's cutback beyond Lewis to pile the pressure on the league's bottom club.

The home side were denied a penalty early in the second half when Tony McMahon went down under the challenge of Latics goalkeeper Scott Carson, only for the referee to wave away his protests once he was back on his feet.

Blackpool came within inches of drawing level on the hour as Tom Aldred's effort was hacked off the line by Emmerson Boyce, and they could only bemoan their misfortune moments later when Wigan doubled their lead.

The Latics went further in front through Harry Maguire, whose looping header sailed beyond the Blackpool goalkeeper and alluded Aldred on the line on its way into the back of the net.

Wigan were out of sight in the 79th minute as James McClean added a third to kill the game off and deal Blackpool a major blow in their battle to avoid relegation to League One.

Gary Madine netted for them with five minutes left to play, but, with 15 points now separating the Tangerines from safety, his goal was little consolation for the home supporters.