Blackpool earn vital away win against Wigan Athletic

Blackpool have given themselves a chance of avoiding relegation from the Championship, as they picked up three vital points against promotion-chasing Wigan Athletic with a 2-0 victory at the DW Stadium this afternoon.

The result also means that Uwe Rosler's Wigan will have to wait to gain a guaranteed playoff spot by grabbing three points in one of their coming league fixtures.

Wigan were the first to threaten as James Perch flashed a header towards goal after getting on the end of Shaun Maloney's cross, leaving Matt Gilks to pull off a smart save to deny the midfielder.

The hosts were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes when Maloney was brought down by Anthony McMahon, but Waghorn was wasteful as he saw his spot kick saved by a sprawling Gilks at the bottom right corner of goal.

Neal Bishop missed a good opportunity to hand Blackpool a surprise lead just before half time, but he fired wide despite finding himself with space in the centre of the Wigan box.

Blackpool turned the game on Wigan just after half time when Andrew Keogh was picked out by Isaiah Osbourne's cross, leaving the striker to convert with his head into the bottom left corner.

The hosts' misery was compounded minutes later when Keogh provided a teasing cross for Stephen Dobbie, who made no mistake in tucking the ball home from the centre of the box.