Kalinic helps Blackburn sink Wigan

Blackburn pulled clear of the English Premier League relegation zone as Nikola Kalinic’s late goal clinched a 2-1 win over Wigan on Wednesday.

Sam Allardyce’s side had slipped dangerously close to the relegation zone in recent weeks but this victory, which followed a league success against Fulham, has rocketed Rovers up to 11th place.

They took the lead through Morten Gamst Pedersen’s first half strike and although Gary Caldwell equalised after the break, Croatia striker Kalinic popped up with his first league goal for Rovers with 14 minutes to play at Ewood Park.

With Chris Kirkland ruled out with a collarbone injury, Wigan boss Roberto Martinez handed a league debut to Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic.

Rovers should have taken the lead in the opening moments when David Hoilett crossed to the far post and Steven Nzonzi headed back into the path of Kalinic, but the Croatian’s close-range shot hit a post and rebounded to safety.

That only delayed the inevitable as Blackburn dominated the early stages and took the lead in spectacular fashion in the 20th minute.

Former Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Stojkovic sprinted off his line through a crowd of players to punch clear Brett Emerton’s free-kick.

But he made a weak conection and the ball dropped perfectly for Pedersen to smash a long-range strike back past the out-of-position keeper and into the top corner for his seventh goal of the season.

Charles N’Zogbia came close to equalising after half an hour when he whipped in a dipping shot that Paul Robinson tipped over at full-stretch.

Wigan were beginning to get control in midfield and they threatened again when James McCarthy touched on Hugo Rodallega’s free-kick towards Paul Scharner.

It seemed certain Scharner would dive to head home but he opted not to throw himself at the ball and the danger passed.

The momentum remained with Wigan at the start of the second half and the visitors drew level in the 58th minute.

McCarthy’s corner wasn’t cleared by the Rovers defence and Caldwell rose above Pascal Chimbonda to head home from three yards for his first goal since his recent move from Celtic.

Rovers almost regained the lead instantly when Emerton’s cross found Pedersen, who rose above Mario Melchiot and headed past Stojkovic, only to see his effort cannon off the crossbar.

Allardyce’s side didn’t have to wait long to get the winner. In the 76th minute, Kalinic stooped to reach Pedersen’s corner and the former Hajduk Split star headed home to seal the points.