Wigan's head coach Anthony Barry was delighted with what he saw at Ewood Park on Sunday, describing it as a 'great advert' for League One football.
Once upon a time, the clash was a staple of the Premier League calendar, but with both clubs falling on hard times it is the English third tier that now plays host to the clash, and Barry believes it was a great match even for a neutral.
“It was a great advert for League One - two great clubs with two great fan bases," Barry was quoted by the Lancashire Telegraph as saying.
“On a day where there was not much football happening the fans up and down the country should have enjoyed it. I thought it was an end to end game, and overall a just result. They got goals at important times in the first half, but our lads have showed immense character and personality to fight back.”
An early brace for Blackburn saw them open up a 2-0 lead in the top of the table clash, but Paul Cook's Wigan refused to be beaten. After the break, Michael Jacobs' shot got deflected in for his 10th goal of the season, before Max Power's wickedly dipping right foot 73rd-minute free-kick then levelled.
The result leaves Wigan four points behind leaders Blackburn, but with four games in hand. Despite the advantage in terms of games left to play, Barry still has Blackburn as the favourites for the title.
“I think Blackburn have to still be favourites at the end of the day. We’ve obviously got four games in hand, and we know we’ve got the quality in the dressing room to cope.”
Wigan now face Scunthorpe and Bradford before their FA Cup quarter final with Southampton, earned after eliminating runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City.
The Verdict
Both sides are riding the crest of a wave, but it is the Latics who hold the upper hand in the title race. Their win against Manchester City in the cup has given them fresh momentum and they'll be far happier with Sunday's draw than Blackburn. Expect both sides to earn automatic promotion at the end of the season, but Paul Cook's Wigan are likely to be crowned champions.