Nick Powell's second-half strike proved the difference as Wigan Athletic edged out Huddersfield Town 2-1 at the DW Stadium this afternoon.

Owen Coyle's men took a 21st-minute lead through defender Leon Barnett, only for the Latics to lose their advantage on the stroke of half time through Oliver Norwood.

Powell - on loan from Manchester United - re-established the lead early in the second half, and it would prove sufficient in earning victory for the Latics.

The hosts enjoyed much of the possession throughout the opening stages without penetrating the Town defence.

They would soon find a breakthrough, though. Ben Watson's floating corner was found by the head of Leon Barnett, who rise highest to thump home the opening goal.

Huddersfield responded well to the deficit and nearly provided the perfect riposte, only for Adam Hammill to see his goal-bound effort deflected narrowly wide off Barnett.

The visitors came even closer from the resulting corner, with goalkeeper Lee Nicholls denying Mark Robins's men an equaliser by tipping Peter Clarke's header past the post.

Town soon saw their dominance rewarded, though, as Oliver Norwood equalised in the dying stages of the first half via a Ryan Shotton deflection.

Nevertheless, Coyle's side forced the issue in the second half and soon saw their dominance pay off.

Powell wriggled into space, before thumping past Alex Smithies in the Huddersfield goal to earn all three points for the Latics.