John Egan nets as in-form Sheffield United edge Wigan

Republic of Ireland defender John Egan got himself on the scoresheet as Sheffield United cemented their grip on second-place in the Championship with a hard-fought but ultimately deserved 2-1 victory at struggling Wigan.

Egan put United in front early in the first half and Billy Sharp added a second before Nathan Broadhead got one back for Wigan.

In Kolo Toure's first home game in charge, Wigan engineered a massive chance inside 80 seconds, when the midfield opened up for Will Keane, who advanced before drilling just over the bar.

The home side also had a shout for a penalty when Tom Naylor's shot appeared to be blocked by a visiting hand or arm, but referee Dean Whitestone waved play on.

Wigan had a huge escape when goalkeeper Jamie Jones saved brilliantly to deny Iliman Ndiaye, before Curtis Tilt blocked the follow-up from Sander Berge.

But the respite was only temporary, with the Blades opening the scoring from the resulting corner, with Egan planting a free header into the roof of the net in the eighth minute.

Wigan were almost in when a volley from Ireland wing-back James McClean was spilled by Wes Foderingham, but the offside flag was up before Broadhead could turn in the rebound, which was blocked anyway.

The visitors were looking dangerous every time they attacked, and Wigan were indebted to Tilt for a superb block to deny James McAtee.

It was almost 2-0 to the Blades when Latics lost possession at the back, and Sharp's backheel took Jack Whatmough out of the game.

McAtee advanced and only a superb save from Jones kept the ball out.

That was Whatmough's last involvement, with the big centre-back limping off to be replaced by Rarmani Edmonds-Green.

The new man's first action came just before the interval, when he looked as