Wigan Athletic have moved within two points of the automatic promotion spots after a comfortable victory away to local rivals Rochdale.
The Latics, backed by a sizeable travelling support at Spotland, started on the front foot with Donervon Daniels bringing an early save out of Josh Lillis before Craig Davies fired wide moments later.
Gary Caldwell's men were rewarded for the bright start when Peter Vincenti played Jason Pearce onside from a set piece, which allowed the defender to dive low at the back post and send his header into the corner of the net.
Dale tried to hit back before half time as Callum Camps missed the target from a direct free kick before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing blazed another effort over Jussi Jaaskelainen's crossbar.
The Finnish keeper, currently the oldest professional playing in League One, needed to be alert after the break when Joe Bunney fired a chance high and wide from point-blank range.
However, it was Wigan who doubled their lead as Michael Jacobs took advantage of a loose ball in the penalty area before poking a shot past Lillis.
Calvin Andrew and David Perkins had further opportunities saved by Jaaskelainen, but it was the Latics who held on to move three points clear of sixth-placed Bury.
Chris O'Keefe
