Powell got on the end of Josh Windass' 52nd-minute cross to guide a downward header past Robins goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa and earn Wigan all three points at the DW Stadium.

It was the former Manchester United midfielder's fourth goal of the season and helped his side move above City and to within two points of leaders Leeds.

Visiting stiker Famara Diedhiou had a great chance to snatch a point for City at the end after escaping his marker to meet Marlon Pack's free-kick.

However, the Senegal international could get neither the power or direction to beat Wigan goalkeeper Christian Walton and the hosts escaped.

That was arguably City's best chance of a match of limited goal-scoring opportunities for both sides.

Paul Cook's Latics have been in excellent form in front of their own fans following promotion and have now taken 13 points from a possible 15 at home.

They had a penalty appeal in the early stages when Michael Jacobs went to ground under Jack Hunt's challenge, before Lee Evans fired wide from the edge of the area.

The visitors, on the back of four wins from their last five, had threatened earlier when a short back-pass from Antonee Robinson was almost seized upon by Andreas Weimann.

Wigan began brightly after half-time and threatened to break the deadlock when Windass sent a looping header narrowly over the City crossbar.

They were rewarded for their pressure seven minutes after the restart with the only goal.

Powell, who had gone five games without scoring after beginning the campaign with three in three, rose to meet Windass' superb centre and directed his effort out of the reach of Maenpaa.

Robins boss Lee Johnson introduced attacking duo Callum O'Dowda and Marley Watkins as he went in search of an equaliser.

They continued to lack a cutting edge, although Weimann curled wide with 20 minutes remaining before later glancing a header off target.

The Latics, who were holding on to their slim advantage relatively comfortably, survived a late scare when Diedhiou was unable to make the most of his opportunity as City slipped to a second successive defeat.

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