Goal hero Emile Heskey helps ten man Latics take derby honours in a huge victory for the club.

The England international's first half strike meant Wigan rose to a mid-table berth after in what must be the most important derby victory in recent history.

Latics continued their good record against Wanderers with a gritty and slender win and the club have now leapfrogged above Middlesbrough and are now in 12th place.

It was a disastrous start for Latics though as Jason Koumas was harshly sent off by referee Steve Tanner after just four minutes for a challenge on Gary Cahill. Thankfully the visitors did not use their numerical advantage to effect as Latics fared better in the first half.

In the 34th minute Heskey volleyed in the winner from the edge of the penalty are after connecting to Melchiot's throw-in, and the shot left Bolton goalkeeper Al Habsi with no chance as the ball nestled into corner of the goal.

But Latics had a case for a goal just moments before as it looked as though Paul Scharner had headed the ball over the line from an Antonio Valencia cross, although neither Tanner or his assistants had seen that the Austrian had scored.

A first-half lead was just what Steve Bruce's men had deserved after Latics applied all the pressure. Antonio Valencia was once again a thorn in side for the opposition and he played a one-two with Heskey before crossing for the big England international at the far post, but the 30-year old headed just wide.

Wilson Palacios also went close with two chances in first half as he latched onto half cleared corners and his volley forced Al Habsi to tip the ball around the post whilst another chance was blocked by the Wanderers defence.

However, being a man down meant it was inevitable before Bolton began applying the pressure themselves, although when they did they failed to break down a resilient Wigan and hardworking defence.

Within minutes of the restart Matt Taylor's shot was comfortably saved by Kirkland, but the England goalkeeper had to be at his best to block a Kevin Nolan shot from close range soon after.

There was a bit luck Wigan's favour too as Michael Brown looked to handled in the 65th minute from a Kevin Davies header but Tanner instantly waved play on whilst Erik Edman cleared a Nolan header off the line during four minutes of stoppage time.

But for all Bolton's effort they were unable to breach the disciplined Wigan defence which has now seen five clean sheets out of the last six Premier League games.

LATICS: Kirkland; Melchiot (c), Scharner, Boyce, Edman; Valencia, Palacios (Taylor 90), Brown, Koumas; Heskey, King (Kilbane 58).

SUBS: Pollitt, Bramble, Sibierski.

BOOKINGS: Palacios, Taylor

SENT OFF: Koumas

GOALS: Heskey 34

BOLTON: Al Habsi; Steinsson, A O'Brien, Cahill (McCann 69), Gardner; Cohen (Rasiak 42), Campo, Nolan (c), Diouf, Taylor, Davies.

SUBS: Walker, Meite, J O'Brien.

BOOKINGS: Diouf, Gardner, McCann.

REFEREE: Steve Tanner

ATTENDANCE: 17,055.