Thursday 5 March 2015 19:53, UK
An early Kim Bo-Kyung volley helped Wigan to a crucial win over Norwich as the Latics claimed back-to-back wins in the Sky Bet Championship.
An early goal from South Korean midfielder Kim proved to be enough to settle a poor game in which an in-form home side failed to create a decent chance all night.
Wigan rarely threatened either but manager Malky Mackay will not be complaining after picking up a precious victory that takes to his battling side to within six points of the safety mark.
City struggled to get going after hitting the heights in Sunday's derby win over Ipswich, with the atmosphere in the ground several notches down on that memorable occasion.
And Wigan took advantage of the hosts' hesitant start by moving ahead from the first meaningful attack of the game after eight minutes.
James McClean and Leon Clarke combined down the left to work the ball into the box and with a clear sight of goal Kim needed no second invitation to blast the ball left-footed past John Ruddy.
Norwich were strangely subdued and it was not until the 21st minute that they got in a decent attempt on goal, with Bradley Johnson's 25-yard free-kick drifting just wide.
Dorrans fired another long-range set-piece straight at Scott Carson six minutes before the break as Norwich's struggle to find their rhythm continued, while a Cameron Jerome header that went well wide summed up a disappointing first-half display from the Championship's in-form side.
City boss Alex Neil brought on playmaker Wes Hoolahan in place of Gary Hooper in an attempt to get his side moving and they started the second period firmly on the front foot.
The pressure on the Wigan goal was pretty much incessant but the Latics were defending well with Carson being well protected.
Defender Sebastien Bassong blasted well over on the hour mark when he might have done better before Johnson curled another free-kick over from a promising position.
With 20 minutes to play the Canaries had failed to carve out a decent chance and Neil threw on Academy graduate Carlton Morris for his debut in an attempt to find that elusive goal.
Norwich kept the pressure on but too many attacks were breaking down on the edge of the box, with efforts on goal at a real premium and Jerome's 89th-minute shot - that sailed over - summing up a frustrating night.
