WANTAWAY winger Lee McCulloch proved he is still committed to the Wigan cause by smashing home a priceless winner to avoid a ninth straight league defeat for the Latics.

McCulloch submitted a transfer request last month in the hope of clinching a move to boyhood heroes Rangers after they had had a bid of £750,000 rejected.

But the Scottish giants failed to up their offer, leaving the 28-year-old to remain at Wigan for at least the remainder of this season, and he provided relegation relief with a 68th-minute strike.

Before kick-off there was a perfectly observed minute's silence in memory of Wigan club president Stan Jackson, who passed away this week at the age of 75. And that seemed to stir Paul Jewell's side into life after such a poor spell of results, debutants Caleb Folan and Julius Aghahowa in particular providing impetus as Wigan produced their highest-quality football for some time.

As the game wore on, the JJB Stadium became engulfed by a dense fog, but Wigan's focus remained clear.

And they deservedly made the breakthrough.

Folan initially held up the ball inside the area, but as Sol Campbell challenged it ricocheted off him and Noe Pamarot before running to the McCulloch to drive home from 18 yards.