Emile Heskey's 100th league goal gained Wigan Athletic a much needed victory at Fratton Park.

Swirling winds and torrential rain made football nearly impossible to play on the south coast but it proved to be just the tonic Latics needed to end their horrible winless run.

Latics were impressive from the off and the effort and commitment was there for all to see.

It could have been a dream start for Latics as a pin point Lee Cattermole cross was met with the right foot of Amr Zaki. The Egyptian unleashed a thunderbolt that missed the upright by a matter of millimetres.

The rest of the first half was easily matched ,with both sides battling the horrible conditions with some tough tackling.

The breakthrough finally came on the stroke of half time. Some intense Latics pressure paid off when Titus Bramble was brought down in the box by Papa Bouba Diop. Amr Zaki stepped up to calmly slot home from the spot in front of the travelling Latics faithful.

A battling display from both sides in the second half provided some fantastic entertainment for the 18,416 fans packed into Fratton Park.

Amr Zaki had a chance to double his tally shortly after the re-start but his long range effort was pushed over by David James.

There was even more drama minutes later as confusion at the back for Latics led to Chris Kirkland picking up a Jason Koumas pass back. Pompey were awarded an indirect free kick on the penalty spot. The ball was rolled to Jermaine Defoe who fortunately drove it at the Latics wall.

The last ten minutes provided some fantastic yet nerve-racking entertainment.

It looked like it would end all square when Portsmouth grabbed their equaliser. Nico Krancjar converted a Portsmouth corner, eluding the Latics defence.

Luis Antonio Valencia could have won it for Latics with minutes to spare as he was sent through on goal but David James' head saved Pompey.

Latics grabbed their winner in stoppage time. Lee Cattermole played a lovely ball through to the path of striker Emile Heskey. The England number nine remained cool and collected to slot home his 100th league goal and the match winner.

It was a fantastic game considering the conditions with both sides giving nothing but there all, but it was Latics who emerged victors to gain a much needed three points.

Pompey: James; Johnson, Distin, Campbell (c), Traore, Diop (Utaka 73), Davis, Diarra (Kranjcar 45), Belhadj, Defoe, Crouch
Subs: Ashdown, Kaboul, Pamarot, Hughes, Kanu

Latics: Kirkland; Melchiot (c), Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole, Koumas, Heskey, Zaki (Camara 89)
Subs: Pollitt: Taylor, Scharner, Kilbane, Brown, de Ridder