James McClean and Will Keane help Wigan to stall Blackburn play-off charge as Shaun Maloney era gets underway

Republic of Ireland internationals James McClean and Will Keane played their part for Wigan as they earned a 0-0 draw at Championship playoff-chasing Blackburn in new manager Shaun Maloney's first game in charge.

The closest they came to securing a victory that would have lifted them off the bottom of the Championship was debutant Martin Kelly's disallowed second-half bundled effort.

But Maloney, who spent four years at the DW Stadium as a player, will be encouraged with his new side, who battled gamely to register their first clean sheet in the league since their victory over Blackburn in October. They are now three points from safety.

It was a disappointing performance from Blackburn, who missed the chance to move back into the top six.

Ben Brereton Diaz and Sorba Thomas both had decent first-half chances but they flattered to deceive thereafter and are now winless in three in the league.

Jon Dahl Tomasson handed a debut to on-loan Thomas, and Hayden Carter replaced the injured Daniel Ayala.

Maloney gave debuts to Omar Rekik, Danel Sinani and Kelly, while Ireland internationals James McClean and Will Keane both started.