The hosts started brightly as a Martyn Waghorn cross from the left flank reached Adam Forshaw, whose subsequent shot drew a smart save from Jason Steele, before the 23-year-old then fired over from the rebound.

However, Gary Bowyer's charges took the lead on the quarter-hour mark when, following a poor Scott Carson clearance, Tom Cairney was allowed to tee up Corry Evans, who struck a curling effort into the top corner of the Wigan net.

Rovers continued to push forward after taking the lead and forced several corners, but on the half-hour mark there was panic as an in-swinging Ben Watson corner had to be punched off the line by Steele.

Jordan Rhodes headed just wide moments later and threatened again in the latter stages of the half, forcing Carson into a low save with a powerful drive on the cusp of half time.

In the 53rd minute, the hosts had a good chance when a Chris McCann cross from the left found James McClean unmarked in the middle, but the 25-year-old headed wide.

Just after the hour, Wigan were able to find the equalising goal, as Shaun Maloney's free kick from outside the box was heartily headed home by McClean.

Blackburn set about trying to eke themselves back into the lead and came within a whisker of doing so in the 70th minute.

Joshua King collected a Steele clearance and powered forward, rounding the last defender before having his shot saved. Rhodes attempted to convert the rebound but his effort was cleared off line by Leon Barnett.

The action continued to be frantic in the latter stages of the game as McClean's ambitious effort from outside the box in the 86th minute was off target, while a Lowe header had to be cleared off the line right at the death.