Goals from David Ball and Alex Nimely ensured City reserves ended their league campaign on a high this evening under the watchful eye of Roberto Mancini.

The only down side for the Blues' boss was an injury to Kieran Trippier who sustained an ankle injury that is likely to finish his season a few weeks earlier than planned.

City began brightly and could have been ahead after just 30 seconds with Roque Santa Cruz forcing a good save from Wigan keeper Lee Nicholls, but it was Ball who opened the scoring on 16 minutes with his seventh of an injury-hit season after his powerful drive defelected in off Michael Dukes.

Trippier limped off on 23 minutes after attempting to soldier on following a bang on his ankle and was replaced by Swiss defender Frederic Veseli.

Though a young Wigan side, containing former City skipper Steve Redmond's son Daniel, improved as the game wore on, there was little to cheer the 198 fans at the Regional Athletics Arena.

Roque Santa Cruz had a quiet evening during a game of few chances and made way for Andrew Tutte on 63 minutes.

The Blues turned up the heat in the closing stages and finally wrapped up the points on 87 minutes when Alex Nimely lobbed the keeper after chasing a long through ball with his tenth of the campaign making it 2-0.

The win puts City level with United at the top of the table, though the Reds have a far superior goal difference and three games still to play. The teams will meet in the Manchester Senior Cup next week (April 22).