Jermaine Pennant scored a pair of impressive free kicks as Wigan Athletic defeated Rotherham United 2-1 in the Championship this afternoon, giving themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop to League One.

Both sides created half-chances in the opening stages, and it was the hosts who came closest in the 10th minute when Paul Green fired narrowly wide after his cross was deflected back into his path.

Rotherham threatened again in the 17th minute as Richard Smallwood hit a half-volley wide after being picked out by Kari Arnason with a swift throw-in.

Wigan were living dangerously and they had a moment of panic in the 21st minute as Kirk Broadfoot's nod-on caused chaos in their penalty area, but the Latics defence eventually cleared their lines.

The away side took the lead against the run of play just after the half-hour mark and it came from a set piece, Pennant curling a free kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Five minutes later, Wigan were awarded another free kick in a near-identical position, and Pennant worked his magic again to put the Latics two goals up.

Rotherham looked dead and buried, but gave themselves a lifeline right on the stroke of half time as Matt Derbyshire nodded home a corner at the back post, giving them everything to play for in the second period.

The Millers had a great chance to get back on terms in the 58th minute when Jack Hunt's cross narrowly missed the head of Daniel Lafferty in front of goal.

Wigan had goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi to thank for preserving their lead during the dying stages of his 150th appearance for the club, the Omani stopper pulling off a dramatic double save to deny Jordan Bowery with just minutes left on the clock.

The Latics had four agonising minutes of stoppage time to endure, but their fourth away win in a row has given them a glimmer of hope in their relegation battle.