SOCCER/English Championship/Wigan - 0 Sunderland - 1: Marcus Stewart's hotly-disputed third-minute strike last night allowed Sunderland to grab a precious victory in this crucial top-of-the-table encounter.

The league leaders were fortunate to take the lead against their fellow Premiership hopefuls when Stewart nudged home his 16th goal of the campaign, finishing off Liam Lawrence's superb cross.

Not only was there a suspicion of offside about the goal, but what really annoyed the home camp was the officials' failure to spot what they believed was a clear throw-in in their favour before Lawrence delivered the telling final ball.

This is a stadium often derided for its lack of spectators and atmosphere. There could be no such complaint last night. Sunderland had 7,400 tickets to sell and sold them all. Their fans' presence created noise and colour and the players of both sides responded in an electric opening couple of minutes.

Wigan were first to threaten when Nathan Ellington hooked a pass over his shoulder for his strike partner Jason Roberts to chase.

Gary Breen chased Roberts and the forward went to ground. There may have been a home penalty claim, but as the ball ran loose Wigan's Gary Teale followed up to strike a shot that goalkeeper Thomas Myhre caught easily.

Then came the disputed goal, a move which began with Sunderland moving down the right through Lawrence. After being challenged by Alan Mahon, Wigan felt the ball crossed the touchline, but there was no flag from the linesman and Lawrence played on.

From right on the line Lawrence swerved a pass beyond and around the Wigan defence and into the path of Stewart. His control was excellent and with his second touch he nudged the ball past John Filan.

That furious start set the tone for the remainder of an enthralling match, but Sunderland held their own, and ultimately the points.

At the other end of the table, Rotherham - who were beaten by one in a seven-goal thriller at Ipswich last night - were relegated from the English Championship.

WIGAN: Filan, Eaden, Jackson, Breckin, Baines, Teale (Jarrett 64), Kavanagh, Bullard, Mahon (Ormerod 45), Roberts, Ellington. Subs Not Used: Walsh, McMillan, Wright.

SUNDERLAND: Myhre, Wright, Breen, Caldwell,McCartney (Danny Collins 73), Robinson, Lawrence, Whitehead, Arca, Brown, Stewart (Elliott 82). Subs Not Used: Deane, Thornton, Alnwick. Goals: Stewart 3.

Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands).