The edge of Evans

DELIGHTED Wigan boss Paul Cook saluted his battling charges as they claimed deserved derby-day bragging rights over Blackburn.

Late goals from substitutes Lee Evans (above) and Michael Jacobs did the damage as the Latics gave their hopes of avoiding relegation to League One a massive boost.

And with defeat Rovers suffered another setback in their challenge to break into the play-off places.

Latics keeper David Marshall also played his part with two excellent saves to thwart Tony Mowbray’s side.

“Great credit to the players, they’ve got this never-say-die attitude,” said Cook, after six clean sheets in a row.

“The brutal reality is you’re only as good as your players – and they’ve never let me down.

“It was a very, very tough game, it was never a comfortable 2-0 scoreline, but that’s a great result for us.”

Evans struck with 10 minutes remaining after Christian Walton’s sloppy error. The keeper spilled a routine cross and Welshman Evans rifled home off the underside of the bar for his first goal since August.

And then Jacobs scored on the counter-attack with virtually the last kick of the game as the Latics extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.

“I felt if anyone was going to win it was us, but ultimately we were not as much of a threat,” said Rovers boss Mowbray. “It hurts, but there’s still plenty to play for.

“We controlled the second half but still found a way to lose the game. It was a lack of game management.”

WIGAN