Wigan boss Shaun Maloney says his side “might have got a bit fortunate” following a penalty shout in the final stages of their goalless draw with Rovers.

Harry Pickering went down in the box under contact from Jack Whatmough but referee Matt Donohue waved play on.

Rovers’ best chance fell to Ben Brereton, who was denied by Ben Amos during the opening five minutes.

Maloney - who took charge of the Latics for the first time since succeeding Kolo Toure in the hot seat - admits the penalty shout was one that “could be given” but felt his side deserved a bit of luck for their defensive efforts.

He told Sky Sports: “We might have got a bit fortunate there. I think seeing it back, Jack stumbles and then he falls.

“He does go into the player, but it’s one that could be given so maybe a bit of fortune there. From my side, maybe we earned it with the work rate that we put in.”

Rovers are up to seventh in the Championship table but missed a chance to climb back into the play-off places.

Meanwhile, Wigan have now gone eight league matches without a win and remain at the foot of the table.

Maloney added: “It’s a good start. We had to defend a lot in the second half so the mentality of the group was really good.

“Even in the first half, we played a little bit and it looked okay. But second half, the mentality of the group was excellent.

“I was really pleased with the progression we have had. We asked them to play in-possession completely different to what they have done previously, so that was positive at times.

“Second half, we had to defend. Sometimes games are like that. I would love for us to play more but there is also a big part of me that loved how we defended.”

Rovers are back in action on Saturday, February 11 when they make the trip to Vicarage Road to take on fifth-place Watford.

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