Antolin Alcaraz headed a late winner as Wigan condemned Blackburn to relegation and ensured their own Barclays Premier League survival tonight.

The Latics defender powered in from a corner with four minutes remaining as the visitors completed their remarkable survival act and hammered the final nail in Rovers' miserable season.

Blackburn supporters, perhaps already resigned to their fate, had turned the game into one long protest against manager Steve Kean and owners Venky's and several invaded the pitch at the final whistle.

A live chicken had even been released early in the game, presumably in protest against Indian poultry giants Venky's, whose takeover in 2010 is pinpointed by many as the start of the club's demise.

The hen, draped in Rovers colours, walked around Ali Al Habsi's goal area before it was caught by the Wigan goalkeeper and Blackburn striker Ayegbeni Yakubu and carried away by a steward.

By then there had already been several anti-Kean or Venky's chants from the supporters.

With banners as well, the Rovers fans were preoccupied with the state of their club with the action clearly of secondary importance.

Saints will now meet Wigan for the first time ever in a league game next season.

The Latics were promoted to the Premier League in the same season, 2004/05, that Saints were demoted from the top flight.