Michael Jacobs produced a superb winner

A stunning 30 yard strike from Michael Jacobs ensured that Latics maintained their winning run against a stubborn Northampton Town at the DW Stadium.

Latics deservedly took the three points with the 1-0 victory but as in their recent games it could so easily have been so many more as they dominated throughout.

Will Grigg had a goal disallowed for offside and fluffed a one-on-one with keeper Matt Ingram, Dan Burn and Lee Evans also went close before Sam Morsy had a shot which struck the post and appeared to cross the line but the goal was not given.

Former Wigan player Leon Barnett forced a super save from Jamie Jones at close range but the home team were good value for the win and move up to second in the League One table.

Manager Paul Cook made two changes from the team which defeated Bristol Rovers with Gary Roberts replacing the injured Nick Powell and Chey Dunkley coming back into the team in place of Alex Bruce.

Latics had an early chance when Gavin Massey picked up a loose ball in the box but shot narrowly wide of the target.

Will Grigg got on the end of a clever Gary Roberts pass on 21 minutes and slotted the ball past Ingram but the linesman ruled that Grigg was offside.

Grigg then had another opportunity when he was played through on goal but he fluffed the chance to score.

Captain Sam Morsy was rather harshly booked for what appeared to be a 50/50 challenge with Regan Poole and will now miss Saturday’s trip to third place Peterborough.

Despite Latics pressure Northampton continued to defend resolutely and it looked as though their strategy to play for one point might just pay off.

It was still all Wigan at the beginning of the second period and the breakthrough came on 55 minutes through a superb individual goal from Michael Jacobs.

Jacobs picked up the ball 35 yards out and drove past a couple of defenders before unleashing a wonderful strike past the despairing Ingram.

Lee Evans went close five minutes later with another long range effort which took a deflection and flew narrowly wide of Ingram’s post.

Then centre back Dan Burn nearly got on the score sheet after a dazzling 50 yard burst forward. The big man drove into the box and played a neat one-two with Roberts but he miscued his final shot and the ball went wide.

Northampton had a rare opportunity on 73 minutes when Leon Barnett forced a superb close range save from Jamie Jones following a corner.

But Latics continued to create opportunities and substitute Colclough nearly increased the lead in added time before Morsy’s shot looked to have crossed the line after striking a post but the goal was not given.

Latics are now in a rich vein of form after winning their last three games, scoring seven and with no goals conceded. They travel to third placed Peterborough on Saturday and will be looking to continue their good form and put pressure on current League One leaders Shrewsbury Town.