Rovers were their own worst enemies as they were 2-0 down inside 12 minutes due to some slack defending.

From that point they were never in the game and looked like a side who had no stomach for a fight - which will be a worry to Ince if he is to save his job and the club from relegation.

Blackburn have now lost their last six Barclays Premier League matches, have not won in 11 and are above only West Brom in the table.

Winger Antonio Valencia was the star for the hosts, crossing in the 10th minute for Emile Heskey to cleverly backheel past England team-mate Paul Robinson before firing in the second two minutes later.

He then provided the assist for Lee Cattermole's 77th-minute effort.

Ince admitted he was disappointed with the players and the performance but stressed he would not throw in the towel despite coming under increasing pressure.

"There is no point feeling sorry for yourself, there is no point in the players feeling sorry for themselves, they have just got to keep believing," he said.

"It is easier said than done when you are not winning games and you perform like we did in the first 45 minutes, which was very disappointing.

"We felt we could not only get something out of the game but win it. Everyone was buzzing in the changing room and then with 12 minutes gone we are 2-0 down and the game was gone. What can you do?

"It is no good improving in the second half. It doesn't do anything.

"I'm very disappointed with the players. We are hurting at this moment in time."

Ince even came under fire from his own supporters, some of whom joined in Wigan fans' chants of 'You're getting sacked in the morning.'

However, the Rovers boss said he was not surprised considering the performance.

"We let our fans down. Obviously they are going to voice their frustration as anyone would - and rightly so because we let them down today," he added.

"They are going to voice their opinion."

Wigan boss Steve Bruce had nothing but support for his former Manchester United team-mate.

"I had a cup of tea with him before [the match]. I have known him a long time and at the end I just said 'Keep your chin up'.

"He has played at the highest level and you don't play for Inter Milan, Liverpool and Man U without having a bit of bottle and Incey has plenty of that.

"He will come out fighting and snarling and determined to turn it around.

"We have all been there. If he does turn it round, which I'm sure he will, it will make him a better manager."

Bruce called on Blackburn to stick by Ince, who is only four months into his maiden Premier League campaign having arrived from MK Dons in the summer to replace Mark Hughes.

"When you employ a young manager new to the game you have to back him and give him every resource to pull him through.

"Otherwise if you discard them it is pointless and we lose a potentially very good young manager.

"He has done well with MK Dons and Macclesfield so let's give him a chance.

"I thought his team were okay, we just blitzed them away in the first 20 minutes.

"We have got off to the best possible start against a team which is low on confidence.

"Antonio was absolutely at his rampaging best and he can do that to any team."