Baggies dare to dream of survival

West Brom retained hope that they could yet survive in the Premier League after on-loan striker Marc-Antoine Fortune inspired the bottom side to a 3-1 win over Wigan.

Fortune scored twice and won the penalty that Chris Brunt converted on the rebound as Tony Mowbray’s side claimed three points that leave them within three points of safety with two games left to play, a home fixture against Liverpool and a trip to Blackburn.

West Brom went into the match knowing defeat could mean relegation and their cause was not helped by an injury to goalkeeper Scott Carson, who was replaced by Dean Kiely.

Wigan were without Egypt striker Mido — like Carson, the victim of a training ground injury — which meant Olivier Kapo joined Hugo Rodallega in the visitors’ attack.

Rodallega had the first chance of the match but the Colombian forward failed to hit the target with a volley from the edge of the area and it was West Brom who claimed an early lead against the run of play.

Chris Brunt teed up Gianni Zuiverloon for a shot that Chris Kirkland did well to parry but could not hold. With the ball looping up in the air, Fortune was first to react and headed hom.

That ended Kirkland’s involvement in the match with the former England goalkeeper going off injured moments later, with Richard Kingson replacing him.

Kiely pulled off a superb triple save to deny Wigan an equaliser, saving a Charles N’Zogbia shot, Paul Scharner’s effort on the rebound and a second strike from N’Zogbia.

But it was not long before Bruce’s men were back on level terms courtesy of Rodallega’s first goal since his five-million-pound January move from Mexican club Nexaca.

The striker has seen several efforts strike the woodwork in his 11-match goalless run in English football so it was fitting that his breakthrough goal should have a fortunate element to it, his free-kick from 25 yards beating Kiely with the help of a wicked deflection off Brunt in the wall.

Rodallega immediately began to look a much more confident player and he sent a drive dipping just over the bar after a powerful run from inside his own half.

There were plenty of half chances for both sides but it was Wigan who should have reached half-time in front after Antonio Valencia dispossessed Jonas Olsson. The Ecuadorian striker had a clear run at goal but hit his shot straight at Kiely.

Wigan paid for that miss after the break.

Just before the hour mark, Fortune got away from Maynor Figueroa close to the touchline and was tripped by Titus Bramble as he moved into the area.

Kingson saved Brunt’s spot-kick but the rebound fell kindly for the midfielder, who took his second chance.

Fortune sealed the points with a fine finish 17 minutes from time.

Borja Valero broke down the right and cut the ball back for the striker, who fired low into the bottom corner despite the attentions of Mario Melchiot.

A disappointing afternoon for Wigan was compounded when Egyptian striker Amr Zaki was stretchered off with what looked like a serious knee injury.