Wigan Athletic 1 (Heskey, 33)

BOLTON WANDERERS 0

A match, despite being played on a dreadful surface which ruined any chances of good football, saw plenty of drama and talking points but it was the home team who took the points in this crucial encounter.

Emile Heskey's 34th minute volley into the top corner from a Melchiot long throw was enough to send the Wigan faithful home with safety much more assured after this game despite playing for 90 minutes with 10 men.

After only 4 minutes, Jason Kou only one foot in the challenge but his studs were showing and he clearly caught Cahill with a tackle reminiscent of Martin Taylor's on Eduardo recently.

The home crowd were absolutely furious but when they see the replays they surely will not disagree with Referee Steve Tanner's decision.  Bolton however will disagree with several of Tanner's decisions later on in a match that was extremely difficult to referee but the man in black failed to give Bolton two clear penalties which in the end cost Bolton dearly.

Despite the 10 men, Bolton found it difficult to get any real momentum and it was Wigan who came out on top in the first half.

Certainly the sending off gave the home team some extra resolve and Bolton's neighbouring team had the better of the chances in the opening stages. Emile Heskey was a constant thorn in the Bolton side with his physical presence and was on the end of most of Wigan's better attacks.

On 20 minutes it was Heskey who almost scored after out-jumping everyone but his header went just wide after Valencia's cross.  El Hadji Diouf was left frustrated two minutes later when the ball bounced and hit him on the shoulder but the referee said it was hand ball. The Senegalese star couldn't hide his frustration with the decision and was given a yellow card for his troubles.

Palacios had two good chances just moments later but both his volleys couldn't find a way through.  Bolton finally had an opportunity on the half-hour mark with Diouf powerfully heading a Steinsson cross just inches wide.

The next few minutes saw Wigan pile on the pressure and Campo headed the ball off the line following a corner, but on 33 mins came Heskey's volley which silenced the 3,000 Bolton fans just behind the goal.

Only 5 minutes later Bolton had the ball in the net with Diouf slotting home however referee Tanner ruled out the strike for seemingly a foul although replays were not conclusive. This was the first of three contentious decisions which could prove very costly for the Wanderers this season.

Tamir Cohen was unfortunate to be injured after a collision just before half-time and had to be treated by both physios. Foruntately he managed to hobble off but had to be replaced by Rasiak who almost scored with his first touch after a diving header from a Diouf cross.

Bolton should have scored 2 minutes after the second half, but skipper Kevin Nolan couldn't find a way past Kirkland from close range after Kevin Davies flicked the ball to him.

Bolton began to make the extra man count and it was Wigan who fought a rear-guard action for the remainder of the half. Campo's free kick mid way through the half was almost turned in by Scharner as the home side rode their luck.

The Whites should have equalised on 66 minutes but the referee failed to spot a blatant hand ball by Michael Brown on the line. The cross was steered goalwards by Davies but the Wigan defender clearly moved his arm towards the ball after it hit him on the knee. Bolton appealed furiously with Kevin Nolan chasing Steve Tanner half-way across the pitch! It should have been a penalty and sending off but the refereee under enormous pressure during the game elected to wave play on.

Bolton spent the remainder of the game camped as much as possible in the Wigan half and Kevin Nolan was given off-side after an attack but eventually bundled the ball into the net. Replays showed that he was level and should not have been penalised.

Wigan tried to run down the clock at every available opportunity but 2 minutes into injury time came another strong appeal for a penalty. Panic ensued in the Wigan box following a Campo long throw and the ball hit a hand which appeared to be Scharner's but the referee gave the decision to Wigan!

This latest controversial decision rounded off a miserable afternoon for the travelling Wanderers fans many of whom will do doubt will be making the short trip to  Old Trafford in just three days time hoping to see an unlikely but vitally important victory against the favourites for the Premier League title.