Caldwell hails 'big win'

The Latics kept alive their slim chances of avoiding relegation to League One - and smashed an eight-month run without a home win - with a narrow triumph thanks to goals from debutant Tim Chow and James Perch.

Dale Stephens had equalised for a Brighton side who are still not mathematically safe themselves with three matches to play.

Wigan are now five points adrift of fourth-bottom Rotherham with two matches to go but, with the Millers facing a possible points deduction, they could yet drag themselves out of the mire.

"All we can do is win our games, and I've said that since day one," said Caldwell. "That's all we can do.

"This was a big win, because it was the first at home for so long, and to get this will be great for confidence.

"We'll focus on next week against Wolves, train well and make sure we're ready for that challenge."

Caldwell was frustrated that Wigan were unable to build on Chow's early goal, but felt they were good value for the win.

"We've said all along that goals are so important in football matches," the Latics chief added.

"We got one today and didn't really manage to capitalise on it.

"We came out sloppy for the second half instead of forcing the game, and we invited pressure.

"When you've not won for so long at home, the confidence perhaps isn't there to keep playing, you try and protect what you've got.

"They get their goal and all credit to them for that, but we went 4-2-4 at the end and tried to be as attacking as we could.

"The second goal was all about desire and eagerness to get a goal, and I thought our play overall deserved that."

Opposite number Chris Hughton felt aggrieved that, having dragged themselves level through Stephens on the hour mark, Brighton failed to take a couple of decent chances that might have changed the outcome.

"It was a game we should never have lost," he said.

"We weren't good enough in that first half, and if you're going through parts of a game when you're not at your best, you've got to remain resolute.

"We've conceded what I thought was a poor goal in that first half, but what we did do was come out better for the second half.

"We got back into the game at 1-1, and for 15 minutes it looked like if one team was going to go on and win the game it was going to be us.

"We had them under pressure at this stage, but you've got to do one of two things in that position.

"You've got to either score - and we had a very good chance to do that - or you've got to be resolute enough to make sure you don't concede.

"We then conceded another poor goal and, at that stage, it becomes difficult because you've got to throw more men forward and it becomes even more open.

"On the first-half performance, we didn't deserve to get anything out of the game.

"On the second-half performance, it was a game we should never have lost."