Blackburn Rovers have managed to get maximum points by defeating Wigan Athletic 2-1 at Ewood Park.

The Lancashire club moved two points clear of the relegation zone, forcing the Latics to replace them in 18th spot on the table.

Morten Gamst Pedersen kicked things off for Rovers in the 58th minute when he curled in a free-kick from the byline before Jason Roberts finished with aplomb nine minutes later with a first-time strike from a Brett Emerton pass.

Wigan hit back in the 74th minute through Charles N'Zogbia who produced a brilliant set-piece finish but it wasn't enough as Sam Allardyce's men notched up just their third win of the season.

Blackburn Rovers: 2 (Morten Gamst Pedersen 58', Jason Roberts 67') Wigan Athletic: 1 (Charles N'Zogbia 74')

Venue: Ewood Park, Blackburn Crowd: 24,413 Referee: Kevin Friend Yellow cards:BR - nil WA - Mohamed Diame 34', Steve Gohouri 78'

Starting Line-Ups

Blackburn Paul Robinson (gk), Christopher Samba, Gael Givet, Ryan Nelsen, Michel Salgado, Phil Jones, Brett Emerton, Morten Gamst Pedersen, El-Hadji Diouf (Chimbonda 86'), Benjani Mwaruwari (Roberts 32'), Mame Biram Diouf (Dunn 46)

Subs - Mark Bunn (gk), Jason Roberts (32'), David Dunn (46'), Pascal Chimbonda (86'), Herold Goulon, Nikola Kalinic, Junior Hoilett

Wigan Ali Al-Habsi (gk), Steve Gohouri, Antolin Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell, Ronnie Stam (Boselli 68'), Maynor Figueroa, Hendry Thomas, Charles N'Zogbia, Jordi Gomez, Mohamed Diame (Di Santo 82'), Hugo Rodallega

Subs - Chris Kirkland (gk), Mauro Boselli (68'), Franco Di Santo (82'), Steven Caldwell, Ben Watson, Victor Moses, Tom Cleverley