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Second-half goals from Chris Martin and Darren Bent gave promotion-chasing Derby their first win in eight matches.

Martin came on as a substitute at half-time and took six minutes to put the visitors in front, smashing the ball home from Johnny Russell's cut-back.

Derby made it 2-0 when Jason Pearce's poor clearance fell to Bent and he scored his ninth goal in 13 matches.

Wigan, who are now eight points from safety, sacked boss Malky Mackay after the game.

The Latics, who have not won at home since August, enjoyed the best of the first half, with Derby's best chance coming through a counter-attack.

Tom Ince missed a good chance to put the visitors ahead when he latched on to Bent's through ball but fired tamely at Ali Al-Habsi.

Midfielder Kim Bo-kyung was at the heart of Wigan's best work and he created the hosts' best opportunities.

The Korean crossed to pick out James McClean but his header was brilliantly tipped over by Lee Grant in the Derby goal.

The second half of Martin's season has been hampered by injury and his last goal came on 31 January, during Derby's win at Cardiff - the Rams' last away victory.

With the visitors struggling to break down Wigan, manager Steve McClaren sent on the Scotland striker at half-time and it paid off when he rifled in his 20th goal of the campaign from the centre of area after Russell's pass.

McClean saw another effort well saved by Grant but Derby were the better team after the break and Bent made the points safe.

Russell's cross was intercepted by Pearce but his clearance fell kindly for Bent to finish.

Kim came close to pulling a goal back for Wigan but he was denied by another fine save from Grant.

Wigan boss Malky Mackay speaking before his sacking:

"I thought we were terrific in the first half, I really did. We got 17 crosses into the box, and when you have that domination from good areas, that should bring you a return of at least two goals.

"If that's the case, in the second half all you're talking about is game management, and seeing the game out. For all that good play, we go in 0-0 at half-time, and we know Derby will make a change because they have to.

"I thought we showed courage and we kept going, and we had four chances in their six-yard box. To not take one of them is criminal as far as we're concerned."

Derby boss Steve McClaren:

"It was a massive win that showed huge character. We've not had the rub of the green in the last few weeks, we've been playing well and performances have been good.

"Today we got that in both boxes - we defended for our lives and we had the quality we have been missing at the other end.

"We've had to be patient and wait for the likes of Darren Bent and Chris Martin to come back to fitness. Today showed how much we have missed them, and how much we'll need them for the rest of the season."