Substitute Luke Robinson scored the only goal with 13 minutes remaining to give managerless Wigan a 1-0 victory over League One strugglers Cambridge.
Robinson’s strike moved the Latics 10 points clear of the relegation zone and left their opponents the same number of points from safety.
An early cross from on-loan Liverpool defender Luke Chambers – back in the Wigan side after a five-month absence – was nodded back by Baba Adeeko for Dale Taylor to miscue his volley.
But it was Cambridge who went closest to an early goal when Dom Ballard wriggled his way through the defence, and Sam Tickle had to make a fantastic save to keep him out.
At the other end, Taylor was again inches away from converting a James Carragher cross, before James Brophy sent a left-foot shot inches over Tickle’s crossbar.
Jonny Smith had a couple of good chances for Wigan, cutting in off the right, only to see his first effort fly past the post and the second one saved by Nathan Bishop.
However, Bishop was unable to prevent Wigan taking all three points when he could only parry a long-range shot from Adeeko, and Robinson followed up to net from a yard.
