Bruce eats his words after win

Saturday's game, Bruce's fourth since taking charge of the Latics, saw the home side squander a 3-0 lead against 10-man Rovers before finally making their numerical advantage count.

"Last words I said to them on Friday were, 'We can't concede three goals and win a football match - it's impossible'. That's what we've been conceding, unfortunately, and we've done it again."

Bruce may have been proven wrong this once, but if second-bottom Wigan are to avoid relegation, they cannot afford a repeat of Saturday's collapse.

The Latics produced their best first-half display of the season in racing to a 3-0 lead.

Denny Landzaat, Marcus Bent and Paul Scharner capitalised on shambolic Blackburn defending before Roque Santa Cruz's stunning volley on the stroke of half-time gave the visitors hope.

The Paraguayan was able to net his first Rovers hat-trick despite the dismissal of team-mate Brett Emerton before Bent completed his own treble to end any doubt about the outcome.

"The first half, apart from the last 10 seconds of the three minutes added on, was the complete performance from us," Bruce added. "We were right up for the challenge and certainly blew Blackburn away in the first half.

"The goal from Santa Cruz gave them a lifeline and that was a big kick in the teeth. We got a bit edgy and a bit nervous. But in terms of attitude and application, terrific, and we need to show that again."

Wigan's collapse coincided with the loss of Emile Heskey, who was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury moments after his side's third goal, before leaving the stadium on crutches.