Wigan Athletic 1-0 Bristol City: Nick Powell gives Latics victory

Nick Powell's second-half header gave Wigan Athletic victory over Bristol City in the Championship.

After a low-quality first half during which both teams cancelled each other out, it was always likely that one goal would prove decisive and Powell's opener gave the Latics something to hold onto.

Famara Diedhiou had City's best chance of grabbing an equaliser, but his stoppage-time header from close range went straight into the arms of goalkeeper Christian Walton.

• Relive Wigan's win over Bristol City

Until that point Lee Johnson's side had never seriously threatened and it had been the Latics who came closest to scoring again, but Sam Morsy and Callum Connolly both fired wide.

It was both sides' third game in six days and, for much of the match, it showed through a lack of tempo and intensity.

Wigan, promoted from League One last season, are now two points off leaders Leeds, while City drop down to sixth.

Wigan boss Paul Cook told Sky Sports: "Both teams looked like they were cancelling each other out in the first half. It wasn't a great game.

"A draw probably on the night would have been a fair result but that one moment of magic won it.

"We had a little bit of luck at the end but, while things are going for us, we're delighted.

"Nick Powell is a very special player and has the ability to change games like tonight when there's nothing in the match."

Bristol City head coach Lee Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol: "I'm almost a little bit embarrassed tonight and I'm really sad to have to say that.

"We didn't play with any cohesion. We were outfought. We were outplayed and we didn't deserve to win.

"The statistics will probably tell you we had more possession but it was in the inches, it was in the desire levels.

"We have got to be better. Full stop. We'll get a bit of stick for tonight and that'll be deserved."