Rotherham United 0 Wigan Athletic 2

Last updated : 15 January 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Gary Teale and Jason Roberts grabbed a goal apiece to keep Paul Jewell's Wigan on course for their Premiership dream.

Teale struck after 69 minutes, ramming home his shot from 10 yards to finally break Rotherham's stubborn resistance and Roberts added the second in the dying minutes

But Rotherham's 16th defeat of the season was another vicious body blow to their already slender hopes of avoiding the drop.

Ronnie Moore's defiant Yorkshire side put up stiff resistance as Wigan, with Jimmy Bullard pulling the strings, hunted for an early breakthrough.

Rotherham keeper Mike Pollitt was in impressive form to produce a string of saves despite struggling with a thigh injury.

The Championship's bottom side even came close to upsetting their high-flying visitors but Wigan eventually found the form that looks destined to take them to the top flight.

Bullard saw an angled drive well saved by Pollitt and his low cross forced a sharp save from the keeper after it clipped the heel of defender Martin McIntosh.

And when Bullard flighted Wigan's first corner after 32 minutes, Lee McCulloch aimed a powerful header to beat Pollitt but hit the angle of bar and post.

Pollitt produced another superb save three minutes later when striker Roberts charged through but Pollitt faced out to save.

And twice when Nathan Ellington hit vicious shots from long range Pollitt did well again.

The goal came after Bullard threaded a neat pass for Roberts and he squared into the area for Teale to drive his shot home.

McCulloch could have added to the goal but his header produced a tremendous save from Pollitt.

But as Rotherham pushed forward looking for an equaliser, they were exposed at the back and Wigan claimed their second through Roberts.

Roberts claimed his 13th goal of the season a minute from the end when he pounced on a long clearance to slam a shot past Pollitt.