Match ends, Wigan Athletic 1, Rotherham United 0.
WiganWigan Athletic1RotherhamRotherham United0
Wigan's James Vaughan scored the only goal as Rotherham suffered their third away defeat of the new season.
Vaughan forced the ball home after goalkeeper Marek Rodak failed to hold Callum McManaman's initial effort.
Rodak had earlier kept the Millers on level terms with a superb double stop to deny Callum Connolly and McManaman.
Ryan Williams went close to an equaliser with a low effort from Kyle Vassell's cross, but Christian Walton made a fine fingertip save.
Rotherham boss Paul Warne's plans were disrupted early when they lost defender Sean Raggett to injury, with Clark Robertson coming on his place.
After Joe Mattock blocked a goalbound effort by Connolly, Josh Windass was only inches away from an opener for Wigan when his free-kick flew just wide of the top corner.
Ryan Manning tested Walton with a 25-yard attempt just before the break and the keeper had to save again from Mattock's effort following a free-kick early in the second half.
Substitute Vaughan, though, had the decisive say as he toe-poked the ball over the line and Wigan held out fairly comfortably for all three points.
Wigan assistant manager Leam Richardson said:
"It was certainly a hard-fought victory.
"Rotherham made us work tirelessly for it, as we knew they would do.
"But our lads dug in and we really earned the win."
Rotherham boss Paul Warne said:
"I'm obviously biased, but I'm also honest and I thought we were the better side in the second half.
"Against an excellent Wigan side, who played Stoke off the park last week, I'm proud of the effort and how we went toe to toe with them.
"But at the same time I'm very disappointed to come away with nothing."
Line-ups
Wigan
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Walton
- 12James
- 22Dunkley
- 21KipreBooked at 80mins
- 3Robinson
- 36Evans
- 5MorsyBooked at 57mins
- 26Connolly
- 25PowellSubstituted forMcManamanat 60'minutes
- 10WindassSubstituted forGarnerat 90+1'minutes
- 9GriggSubstituted forVaughanat 60'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Byrne
- 8Vaughan
- 14Bruce
- 15McManaman
- 18Roberts
- 23Jones
- 41Garner
Rotherham
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Rodák
- 2Vyner
- 26RaggettSubstituted forRobertsonat 19'minutes
- 6WoodBooked at 45minsSubstituted forProctorat 77'minutes
- 3Mattock
- 11TaylorBooked at 5minsSubstituted forVassellat 59'minutes
- 4Vaulks
- 5Ajayi
- 17Manning
- 23WilliamsBooked at 38mins
- 24Smith
Substitutes
- 8Palmer
- 9Proctor
- 13Towell
- 15Robertson
- 19Vassell
- 22Newell
- 30Bilboe
- Referee:
- Scott Duncan
- Attendance:
- 9,584
Match Stats
Home TeamWiganAway TeamRotherham
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away4
- Corners
- Home3
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wigan Athletic 1, Rotherham United 0.
Post update
Foul by Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic).
Post update
Will Vaulks (Rotherham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Wigan Athletic. Joe Garner replaces Josh Windass.
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Hand ball by James Vaughan (Wigan Athletic).
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Lee Evans (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Joe Mattock (Rotherham United).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Williams.
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Attempt missed. Clark Robertson (Rotherham United) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Ryan Manning.
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Attempt missed. Ryan Williams (Rotherham United) left footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Reece James (Wigan Athletic).
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Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Callum Connolly (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United).
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Attempt blocked. Ryan Williams (Rotherham United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Josh Windass (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Kyle Vassell (Rotherham United).
Post update
Attempt missed. Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Ryan Manning with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Rotherham United. Conceded by Cedric Kipre.
