Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez says with a bit of luck they would have beaten Stoke City on Saturday.
For Martinez, the performance was a source of pride as they bounced back after last weekend's crushing defeat at fellow strugglers West Ham.
It could even have been better had Hendry Thomas not contrived to miss virtually an open goal from five yards in the first half, while Charles N'Zogbia saw his late effort brilliantly tipped on to a post by Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic.
Martinez said: "We all know the strengths of Hendry Thomas. I thought he had an outstanding game the way he sensed danger, and then he gets in a great position. Nine out of 10 times he's going to hit the back of the net.
"That bit of luck is what's getting away from us at the moment but it would have been all too easy to feel sorry for ourselves.
"The approach in the second half didn't give anyone the impression that we just accept things. It gives us a great platform for the next fixtures in a critical period for us."
