Wigan moved one step closer to relegation from the English Premier League following a narrow defeat to Swansea, while Manchester City created some momentum ahead of the F.A. Cup final at Wembley with a 1-0 win over West Brom.
With three points separating Wigan and three other teams - Newcastle, Norwich and Sunderland -- above them, the Latics really needed to make full use of their game in hand to continue their bid for another great escape.
However, Dwight Tiendalli came up with a heartbreaking winner at the DW Stadium to send Wigan reeling towards relegation, with just two games now remaining in the season.
Roger Espinoza gave Wigan the lead late in the first half after firing home in a crowded penalty box, only for Angel Rangel to equalize in the 50th minute - a nice volley which went in off the post.
James McCarthy put the home side in the lead for the second time three minutes later, but Swansea, which had nothing but pride to play for, made it 2-2 courtesy Itay Schechter.
Wigan desperately went in search of the equalizer, but it was Tiendalli that struck for the Welsh side to complete a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory for the Capital One Cup winners.
With the loss, Wigan stay in the relegation zone, three points adrift of safety, while Swansea are ninth on 46 points from 36 games.
In the other game at the Etihad, Manchester City tightened their grip on second place with a 1-0 win over West Brom.
Roberto Mancini expectedly made wholesale changes to his side, keeping in mind the F.A. Cup final on Saturday against Wigan, and after a slow start to the game, the deposed Premier League champions found the only goal of the game, ten minutes from halftime.
Carlos Tevez was the creator, playing in a nice cross from the right for Dzeko, who calmly slotted it into the back of the net past West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill -- there were suspicions of offside, though, with replays suggesting Tevez might have been ahead of the play in the build up.
The win moved City seven points clear of third-placed Chelsea, with the West London club set to play Tottenham in a crucial Premier League game at Stamford Bridge Wednesday.
