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Kevin Kilbane’s looping header from a free-kick just before half-time was enough to given Wigan Athletic a vital three points against West Ham United.

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The well-deserved win moved Wigan out of the bottom three and two points clear of the relegation zone. Wigan went desperately close to extending their lead late on when Antonio Valencia’s shot hit both posts. Substitute Craig Bellamy squandered West Ham’s best chance when he blazed over from close range on 75 minutes. West Ham made a positive start and Freddie Ljunberg and tested Chris Kirkland when he capitalised on a poorly cleared corner. The home side relied on sporadic aerial balls to Emile Heskey, and though he was proving a handful there were few Wigan players picking up his flick-ons. With 20 minutes gone the Hammers forced a headed clearance from Emmerson Boyce with a cross just in front of the goal line, and only a well-timed tackle from Wilson Palacios denied Matthew Etherington.