Blackburn 3

Santa Cruz 12,63 Roberts 45 Samba s/o 16

Wigan 1

King 17(pen) Palacios s/o 69

Blackburn 3 Wigan 1 March 22 2008

Blackburn kept alive their hopes of UEFA Cup football next season with an impressive 3-1 victory at home to struggling Wigan.

Rovers took the lead after 12 minutes when Chris Kirkland spilled David Bentley's shot and Roque Santa Cruz headed into the unguarded net.

Latics were level within five minutes when Emile Heskey went down under Christopher Samba's challenge, which resulted in a red card for the Rovers defender. Marlon King slotted home the spot-kick for his first goal for the club.

Bentley then rattled the post with a curling free-kick, but Jason Roberts restored the lead when he tucked the ball under Kirkland.

Santa Cruz netted his second when he stooped to head Bentley's left-wing cross past Kirkland from six yards.

Wilson Palacios saw red for the visitors with 15 minutes remaining following his second bookable offence.