Captain Ryan Nelsen picked the perfect moment to score his first goal for the club as Rovers picked up a huge three points with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

Denied by the woodwork on so many occasions, after 140 appearances the New Zealand international finally saw the ball nestle in the back of the net when he glanced home Benni McCarthy's free-kick on the hour.

It was McCarthy who had grabbed his 12th of the campaign when he beat Kirkland to Morten Gamst Pedersen's 45th minute corner kick to nod Rovers in front.

But it was far from plain sailing for the home side, Valencia striking the crossbar early on whilst Paul Robinson had to be in outstanding form with a stunning double save in the second half.

Despite late pressure in which substitute Keith Andrews twice cleared off the line, Rovers held on to claim three vital three points to move up to 15th place, six points above the drop-zone.

After the disappointment of last week's defeat at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke City, boss Sam Allardyce made two changes to his starting line-up. Out went Aaron Mokoena and Keith Andrews, with Tugay and Vince Grella coming in, Grella his first start since the beginning of March.

The offer of three home games for £20 meant that there were Rovers fans in all four sides of Ewood Park, leading to a fantastic atmosphere as the game got underway, but there was an early nervy moment when Antonia Valencia, the chief tormentor in the game at the JJB earlier in the season, stole into the area and let fly, the ball taking a deflection off the boot of Stephen Warnock to elude Paul Robinson, but Rovers were saved by the crossbar, the ball bouncing down and away to safety.

But that didn't dampen the spirit from the home fans and players as they quickly went the attack themselves, Grella almost teed up Chris Samba but Kirkland pounced. Moments later Kirkland was again in action as he denied Benni McCarthy at the back post.

Time seemed to freeze at the midway point of the half when from a Pedersen centre Diouf headed goal wards, Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole stopped the ball on the line but no Rovers player could take advantage.

The speed of Wigan's counter-attacks were causing Rovers problems, Charles N'Zogbia fired narrowly wide, whilst Ben Watson wasted an opportunity moments later.

But on the stroke of half-time the deadlock was finally broken. Pedersen with the corner kick from the right and Benni McCarthy got his head to the ball ahead of Kirkland and the ball nestled into the back of the net.

It was the South African's 12th goal of the season, and perhaps his most important strike.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce made a change up front at the break, replacing one Egyptian for another with Mido making way for Amir Zaki, but it was Rovers posing the threat, Chris Samba heading wide after a teasing ball from Andre Ooijer.

However Wigan were posing threats of their own, Ben Watson saw his shot beaten away by Paul Robinson, whilst Maynor Figueroa saw a strike deflect wide.

But cometh the hour and cometh the man and that man was the unexpected figure of Ryan Nelsen. Chris Samba had been fouled on the left and from the resulting free-kick Benni McCarthy sent over one of those crosses that are so hard to defend and that proved to be the case as Nelsen rose to glance the ball home.

After connecting with the ball Nelsen looked behind him to see where the ball had headed, the Rovers captain unable to hide is delight as it nestled into the bottom corner.

Despite the two-goal lead Wigan didn't lie down and continued to pose their own problems. Luis-Antonio Valencia sent over a cross from the right to his opposite number on the left where Charles N'Zogbia headed goal wards only for Robinson to tip the ball over the bar.

Two minutes later and the Rovers number one made a fantastic double save, a corner from the left was met by Boyce, Robinson denied him from point-blank range and did even better on the follow up to push aside Valencia's thunderbolt.

That gave Rovers renewed belief that they could claim all three points, Chris Kirkland was kept busy once again by the tireless work from Chris Samba, his header by Ooijer was kept out by the Wigan 'keeper.

With a two-goal lead to defend Rovers worked hard to ensure that they would end the game keeping a clean sheet. Deep in injury time Robinson again was called upon to deny Daniel De Ridder, then from the resulting corner kick substitute Keith Andrews twice cleared off the line, earning a hug from his goalkeeper.

So the first of the crucial three resulted in three points for Rovers, and with four games remaining, the Lancashire club are perhaps just one more win from safety.

ROVERS: Robinson, Ooijer, Nelsen (c), Givet, Warnock, Diouf, Tugay (sub Dunn 64 mins), Grella (sub Andrews 78 mins), Pedersen, McCarthy (sub Villanueva 82 mins), Samba.

Subs: Bunn (GK), Khizanishvili, Olsson, Doran

WIGAN: Kirkland, Cattermole (c), Scharner, Watson (sub Kapo 78 mins), Mido (sub Zaki 46 mins), N'Zogbia, Valencia, Boyce, Bramble, Rodallega, Figueroa (sub De Ridder 78 mins).

Subs: Pollitt (GK), Edman, Koumas, Brown.

Booked: none.

Attendance: 25,019