Striker impressed team-mates didn't let Wigan blow rock them
SHANE Long hailed his team-mates’ character after they overcame their half-time disappointment at the DW Stadium to bag their first top-flight away victory of the season.
The Baggies looked like taking a comfortable two-goal lead into the break when Gary Caldwell’s 43rd-minute own goal added to James Morrison’s 31st-minute strike – his third of the campaign.
But Arouna Kone pulled one back for the hosts within a minute to make Albion’s second-half task harder.
And Long was delighted to avoid last-gasp heartbreak on the road again after conceding a stoppage-time winner at Newcastle last time out on their travels.
“We knew with the formation Wigan play it was going to be hard to keep them out,” said Long.
“They pass a lot at the back and they look good in possession but they never really threatened us in the first half until they scored.
“It was frustrating to concede just before half-time because 2-0 would have made a massive difference.
“We were disappointed about that at half-time but we knew we had enough to win the game - and that’s what we did.”
The Ireland international added: “I don’t know where they got five minutes added time.
“There were six substitutions, which is three minutes, but, nonetheless, we had faith in ourselves to see it out.
“They launched a few balls into the box but Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson were very good at heading them back out.”