Wigan Athletic are on course for their second win on the spin after taking a two-goal lead into half time of their Championship clash against Birmingham City.

Strikes from Callum McManaman and Andrew Taylor have put the hosts in firm command at the DW Stadium.

The Latics fired an early warning shot when Don Cowie's right-footed effort rippled the side-netting inside the first minute, and they broke the deadlock eight minutes later.

McManaman twisted and turned his way through the Birmingham defence before firing a shot through the legs of visiting goalkeeper Darren Randolph to give his side the lead.

Both teams struggled to create chances during the first period, but Wigan almost had a second just after the half-hour mark when Oriol Riera's right-footed drive went narrowly wide.

The hosts extended their lead in the 39th minute following an error by Birmingham defender Jonathan Spector, who gave the ball away to James McArthur, enabling him to tee up Taylor to smash home his first goal for the club.

Wigan took a 3-0 lead into the break as McManaman claimed his second of the afternoon in first-half stoppage time, smashing home from distance to put Wigan almost out of sight at the break.