Graeme Shinnie produced a stunning strike in stoppage time to earn Derby County a win in a dull game at Pride Park on Wednesday night.
The Scottish midfielder, who joined the Rams over the summer, signed by previous manager Frank Lampard, has only broke into the first team in recent weeks.
Shinnie provided the game’s most significant moment when he half-volleyed into the top corner from 20 yards following Chris Martin’s knockdown.
Wigan Athletic had headed to the East Midlands in good form, having won three of their last five, keeping a clean sheet in each of them. They prevented Nottingham Forest going top of the Championship on Sunday with a 1-0 win at the DW Stadium.
Phillip Cocu’s Derby had been hammered 3-0 away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday as pressure has started to grow on the Dutch manager. Victory this evening has only moved last season’s play-off runners-up into 14th place after 13 games.
In a game of few chances it was the visitors who created two gilt-edge opportunities at 0-0. Derby goalkeeper Kelle Roos denied Jamal Lowe twice in one-on-one situations.
Derby travel to Hull City on Saturday – the Tigers were 2-1 winners away to Nottingham Forest this evening.
Defeat leaves Wigan four points above the relegation zone and face a tough trip to Bristol City on Saturday.
