WIGAN recovered from a nightmare start to beat local rivals Oldham 3-1.

Oldham's hopes of finishing on Wigan's coattails and securing their own spot in Division One were given an instant boost as they took the lead inside 20 seconds as Wayne Andrews fired past John Filan from 20 yards.

However Wigan aren't top of the table for nothing, and eight minutes later they'd restored parity when Neil Roberts found space at the far post to head home a Gary Teale cross.

Both teams continued to push forward and Roberts should have scored a second, but headed onto the roof of the net from six yards.

Oldham went close through Andrews and veteran David Eyres, but on 70 minutes the home side took the lead.

Roberts was sent sprawling 25 yards out and from the resultant freekick, Jimmy Bullard curled home a superb freekick that left David Miskelly clutching at air.

And Roberts completed a superb personal display soon afterwards when he received the ball with his back to goal, turned and crashed home a drive off the underside of the bar.

The win confirmed Wigan's dominance as the best team in Division Two, but severely damaged Oldham's hopes of avoiding the lottery of the playoffs.

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