SCRAPPY goals may be an acquired taste, but Paul Jewell is a connoisseur.

Wigan Athletic's highly entertaining 1-0 win over Ipswich on Tuesday night was only let down by the quality of the winning goal -- a toe poke from two yards by Nathan Ellington after a goalmouth scramble.

But, having devoured a sack load of short range chances during his playing days, Latics boss Jewell recognises the art of being in the right place at the right time and understands how vital Ellington's less spectacular efforts could prove to his side's hopes of survival.

"I love those scrappy goals, those tap-ins that I used to score every week," he said. "Not many people can do that, but those scruffy goals make a difference.

"That's the only thing that we are lacking in at the moment, goals. But I am not going to be critical of the players when you can see the effort that they have been putting in. That is paramount to us."

The win, over many pundits' promotion favourites, was proof of Wigan's growing stature in Division One -- which is shocking the critics.

Despite their runaway Second Division title last season, most of the media had tipped them to be the league's whipping boys on their first venture into the Nationwide elite.

But, with wins against such established First Division sides as Burnley and Ipswich now under their belt, few could doubt their credentials now.

"I haven't been surprised by how well we've played," said Jewell.

"People see us as being a small club, and people want to talk about our attendances, but we deserve to be here because we ran away with the Second Division. If we can add two or three more players to the squad, we'll be a decent side."

The Latics boss was also questioned on whether he thought people be surprised at the high tempo game which was used so effectively against Ipswich Town.

"I don't take much notice about what other people think about us, that's the way I like to play and I think that is when we are at our best. There will be times when the opposition are on top of us, we can't play high tempo for ninety minutes, but the players deserved the win."

Jimmy Bullard was named 'Man of the Match', but Paul Jewell refused to single out any individuals for what was a superb performance overall from the Latics personnel.

"I thought the whole team looked good, it was a team effort al the way through including the lads on the bench, that's what we are about."

Meanwhile, Jewell also added that defender Steve McMillan sustained a groin injury which will be looked at first thing on Wednesday morning.