REPORT: Bristol Rovers 1 Wigan Athletic 2

With seconds to go, Latics were sitting bottom of League One, on goal difference below Burton Albion.

But centre-back Wootton got on the end of a Thelo Aasgaard free-kick to steer the ball home - and secure a priceless three points for Latics.

The visitors had taken the lead seven minutes into the second period, with Callum Lang continuing his fine recent run with a close-range header.

But the home side - under the management of Joey Barton for the first time - hit back 17 minutes later, with Luke McCormick securing a share of the spoils.

That looked it before Wootton's late invention - which lifts Latics a couple of places, to just a point off safety - with 16 matches to go.

The first period was a real war of attrition, with both sides struggling to put anything together going forward, with a blustery wind making conditions very difficult.

Latics goalkeeper Jamie Jones was forced to tip over a looping header from Alex Rodman, but that was about it in terms of goalscoring chances.

Fortunately, the second half was a much more entertaining affair, and it was Latics who took the lead seven minutes after the restart.

Luke Robinson created the opportunity from the left and, after Will Keane, flicked it on, Lang was there to nod home for his fourth goal in his last five appearances.

Having shipped so many goals this term - resulting in the worst goal difference in the league - Latics knew they couldn't afford to sit back on their narrow lead.

But as they pushed forward in search of more, they were leaving themselves stretched at the back, and a wonderful cross from the Rovers right as the cross rolled all the way through the 'corridor of uncertainty'...and behind for a goal kick.

Rovers, though, weren't to be denied on their next attack, with Luke McCormick cutting back on to his right foot before firing the ball past an exposed Jones.