|
It was an emotional return for Graham Kavanagh who was skipper of the Bluebirds until being hurriedly sold to the Latics when Cardiff's huge financial problems first surfaced a few weeks ago.
Both sets of supporters gave him a warm reception as he came out onto the Ninian Park for the first time since his transfer on March 4.
Once the game was underway Kavanagh's love affair with the home fans ended and he was roundly jeered every time he touched the ball.
It was midway through the opening period before the Bluebirds caused the Wigan defence problems when a corner by Joe Ledley was met at the far post by Peter Thorne, but his downward header was hacked away by a Wigan defender.
Then Cameron Jerome went on a run beating two defenders, but his shot drifted wide of the far post with Wigan keeper John Filan beaten.
The pace of 19-year-old Jerome began causing Wigan problems and from another run by the Huddersfield-born youngster the ball was switched to Neal Ardley whose first-time cross was headed wide by Thorne.
The first half had been closely fought so it was no surprise when no changes were made during the interval.
Wigan took an undeserved lead six minutes after the restart when an unmarked Stephen McMillan was given time to cross into the area and Roberts rose high to head into the corner of the net.
The Bluebirds were forced to use Jerome's pace to bring respite to the rearguard and he had the ball in the net in the 65th minute only to be flagged offside.
Lennie Lawrence made a double switch in the 69th minute with Alan Lee and Mick Boulding replacing Thorne and Jobi McAnuff as City went for their own three-man frontline.
The change had an immediate effect with the Bluebirds pushing forward in search of an equaliser and a teasing cross from Ardley was tipped over the bar by Filan.
Paul Jewell responded by taking off Nathan Ellington and bolstering his midfield with the introduction of Mahon.
Five minutes from time a mistake by Richard Langley gave Kavanagh a clear shooting chance, but instead he threaded a pass across field to Mahon and the unmarked former Blackburn and Ipswich midfielder calmly slotted the ball into the net.
City huffed and puffed in the remaining few minutes, but their ninth home defeat of the season still keeps them dangerously close to the relegation trap door.