Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Wigan Athletic: Leon Balogun's header helps leaders hang on to top spot
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Leon Balogun celebrates his first goal for QPR
QPR survived second-half pressure to beat Wigan at Loftus Road and stay top of the Championship.
After Lyndon Dikes and Ilias Chair had tested Latics goalkeeper Ben Amos, Sam Field headed in Stefan Johansen's corner at the back post to reward Rangers' dominant start.
Nathan Broadhead's volley levelled matters against the run of play, but the hosts were back in front within minutes when Leon Balogun powered a header into the top corner from another Johansen corner.
Broadhead had a second goal ruled out and the Latics created a number of chances in the second half, with Josh Magennis hooking a shot against the post late on, however the hosts held on.
Buoyed by boss Michael Beale's decision to stay put and reject an approach from managerless Premier League side Wolves, Rangers looked to be cruising to a fifth win in six matches.
But after Johansen limped off injured shortly before half-time, Rangers were made to work hard for the points.
Jason Kerr's curling effort dipped over the bar and Will Keane headed over a good chance from Max Power's dangerous cross.
But Beale's side survived to claim a win which keeps them top on goal difference from Blackburn, while aQPR hold off Wigan pressure to stay top sixth defeat in eight drops the Latics to 19th and within three points of the relegation places.
The game had looked to be playing out true to form when Field registered his first goal since February 2021 after 12 minutes, only for Broadhead to stun Loftus Road with Wigan's first serious foray into the home half.
Johansen had soon added his second assist of the afternoon - and his sixth of the season - to restore order, yet Broadhead almost levelled for the second time in five minutes, only to see his effort ruled out for handball in the build-up.
QPR boss Michael Beale told BBC Radio London 94.9:
"The people really close to me know what I want to do here, they know what I'm trying to do. I'm learning to be a manager. It's the first time we've worked together. It's a young group and we're growing.
"I told them on Thursday morning that it's business as usual, and they were, if not the first, the next set of people to find out I was staying.
"The Premier League is something we all want to go to, the players, the staff, coaches and managers. We all want to work at the top level, but it's about the right opportunity at the right moment and hopefully that moment can be for QPR in the not-too-distant future.
(On links to Aston Villa): "I'm flattered to be linked with a Premier League job, but I don't think I can be any more clear on Thursday about my stance and the feelings I have for the people behind the scenes here."