ROVERS got back to winning ways with a convincing 3-1 victory over near-neighbours Wigan Athletic.

Roque Santa Cruz got the home side off to the perfect start when he reacted quickest after David Bentley's shot couldn't be held by Chris Kirkland.

But a sending off to Chris Samba after bringing down Emile Heskey in the area, threw the game wide open, Marlon King making no mistake from the spot to level.

Despite being a man down it was Rovers who rallied and Jason Roberts fired Mark Hughes' side back in front just before the break.

A flowing move saw Rovers extend their lead just past the hour mark, Roque Santa Cruz heading his 18th goal of the season to put them firmly in command, and when Wilson Palacios also got his marching orders, there was to be no way back for Wigan as Rovers saw out the game with relative ease.

There was just the one change to the side that took to the field against West Ham United last Saturday, with Brett Emerton nursing a groin injury it meant a quick return to the starting line-up for Zurab Khizanishvili. The Georgian defender slotting in alongside Chris Samba at the heart of the defence, captain Andre Ooijer moving to right back.

Rovers started brightly in the freezing conditions, Bentley testing Chris Kirkland with a long-range effort that bounced off the Ewood Park turf, the Wigan 'keeper, who had early received treatment for a back injury after falling heavily, showed no ill-effects to push the ball behind.

Two minutes later and Bentley was to let fly from distance once again, this time Kirkland couldn't hold his high effort and Roque Santa Cruz was quickest to react, heading home his 17th goal of the season.

That joy was short-lived however when on 17 minutes Chris Samba brought down Emile Heskey in the area, referee Mike Dean pointed straight to the spot and inflicted further damage by showing the red card to the Rovers defender.

Wigan striker Marlon King stepped up to level, his effort just eluding the diving Friedel who had guessed the right way but couldn't prevent the ball hitting the back of the net.

Marlon King almost added his and Wigan's second two minutes later, his curling shot from the edge of the area was spectacularly pushed away by Friedel.

Despite the man advantage, that would prove to be the last time that Steve Bruce's side would threaten in the first half as Rovers regained their composure and control of the game.

On 22 minutes Roberts showed great strength to hold off his marker in the area before feeding Santa Cruz, but the Paraguayan's effort was saved by Kirkland, Roberts tried with an overhead kick to put in the rebound, but the Wigan number one claimed the high ball comfortably.

Morten Gamst Pedersen put a free-kick from the right a yard wide of Kirkland's far post, then on 37 minutes David Bentley went even closer with a kick from the right, Chris Kirkland was beaten all ends up but was relieved to see the ball crash off the post.

There then followed a lengthy delay after Erik Edman stopped a header from Jason Roberts, the Swede had blocked the shot with his head but twisted his knee in the process and had to be stretchered off, Ryan Taylor coming on to replace.

But right on 45 minutes Rovers got the goal that their play deserved, Stephen Warnock's long ball out of defence was flicked on by Roque Santa Cruz and Jason Robert took the ball onto his left foot and fired home from ten yards out.

A blizzard engulfed the players during the five additional minutes before the half-time whistle allowed everyone the chance to warm up.

The second half opened up rather scrappy, a whistle-happy referee not helping the flow of the game in awarding free-kick after free-kick, but as ever it was Rovers who looked to play the more expansive game.

David Bentley played a sublime ball over the top for Roque Santa Cruz to chase, the Rovers attack controlled the ball well on his chest and headed into the area, but only a timely tackle from Mario Melchiot stopped Roque from getting his shot away.

On 63 minutes those two would combine to full effect once again, but the third goal of the game was started by a brilliant interception by Zurab Khizanishvili, the Georgian nipped in front of Marlon King to steal the ball and run forward with purpose. Khizanishvili spread the ball out wide left to David Bentley, the England winger had just Roberts and Santa Cruz to pick out in the area but duly delivered, Roberts leaving the ball for Santa Cruz to head home from five yards out.

It got better for Rovers when the numbers on the pitch were evened up six minutes later, Wilson Palacios, who had been booked in the first half, picked up his second yellow card of the game and was sent off.

That effectively killed the game as a contest, Rovers were able to relax and play their football, substitute Tugay revelling in the space afforded to him. Wigan only threatening from dead ball situations, but Ryan Taylor was off target on each occasion.

So the victory brings a welcome three points, and with results elsewhere going in their favour, the win puts Rovers back up to 8th, level on points with Aston Villa.

ROVERS: Friedel, Ooijer (c), Khizanishvili, Samba, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn (sub Mokoena 84 mins), Pedersen, Santa Cruz (sub McCarthy 90 mins), Roberts (sub Tugay 78 mins).

Subs not used: Brown (GK), Derbyshire.

WIGAN ATHLETIC: Kirkland, Edman (sub Taylor 41 mins), Palacios, Kilbane, Heskey, Brown, King (sub Bent 64 mins), Valencia, Boyce, Scharner, Melchiot (c).

Subs not used: Pollitt (GK), Aghahowa, Bramble.

Booked: Palacios, Brown, Melchiot (Wigan)

Off: Samba (Rovers), Palacios (Wigan)

Attendance: 23,541