Wigan extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches with a hard-fought but ultimately well-deserved 1-0 victory over Rochdale in Sky Bet League One.
Conor McAleny, on as a half-time substitute, bundled the ball home for the winner midway through the second half.
Yanic Wildschut had hit the bar with a deflected effort and saw the follow-up well saved by Dale goalkeeper Josh Lillis.
But the ball rebounded to McAleny, who forced it over the line despite the determined efforts of a Dale man on the line.
The visitors remained a threat despite the first-half sending-off of Ian Henderson for a straight red card.
Henderson himself had been clattered by Jason Pearce on halfway but lashed out at the Wigan defender to leave the official with no choice.
Wigan had chances to have wrapped up the game far more comfortably but Wildschut, Will Grigg, Max Power, Sam Morsy and McAleny were all unable to make the most of decent chances.
Rochdale threw on ex-Wigan man Grant Holt in the second period and the veteran striker had a couple of opportunities to bag against his former club, only to see a bullet header fly just over and a fierce shot blocked.