Wigan's promotion charge gathered pace with a top quality showing against local rivals Oldham.
But the loss of three points was a minor concern for Oldham Manager, Iain Dowie who has heard the bombshell news that striker Clyde Wijnhard could be out of football for up to 18 months.
Wijnhard needs major surgery after a defect was found in his knee cartilage, and though he will seek a second opinion, Dowie is expecting the worst.
He said: "It is a crushing blow for us and absolutely awful for Clyde. He has already had to come back from more than a year out after suffering a car crash while he was at Huddersfield and he knows it may be difficult to get back into the game again." Of the derby clash in which his team offered little threat up front, Dowie added: "There wasn't much between the teams but having said that we never really threatened to open Wigan up.
"We have got problems at the moment and, with Clint Hill breaking his leg a couple of weeks ago, I would like to bring people in. But we will stay positive and bounce back - we will be okay!" Wigan were always in control and their organised defence kept up a brilliant away record of only four goals conceded in the League.
At the other end, Nathan Ellington did no harm to his reputation with a clinical finish after 36 minutes from a knockdown by strike partner Neil Roberts.
Wigan continued to press and it came as no surprise when Scott Green's corner was thumped in by the head of captain Jason De Vos on the hour mark, but that wasn't the end of the drama.
Former Wigan midfielder Darren Sheridan was already on a yellow card when he went into a tackle with Roberts after 65 minutes.
The striker seemed to jump out of the way but Sheridan was handed his second booking by referee Andy Hall, whose handling of the game was blasted by both managers.
Wigan boss Paul Jewell said: "I'd better not say too much about him because it only gets you in trouble but I thought out performance got better as it went on.
"We were in control and I am delighted to win a derby game without our keeper having a save to make."