Bramble set Wigan on the road to defeat in yesterday's 2-1 loss to Everton at the JJB Stadium following an horrendous error.

The centre-back mis-kicked an attempted back pass six minutes from the interval, allowing striker Andy Johnson to capitalise and grab his sixth goal of the season.

Still reeling from such a blow after dominating the game, manager Steve Bruce's side conceded a second three minutes later and were unable to recover from the two-goal half-time deficit.

It is not the first time Bramble has cost Wigan points this season as he committed a mistake in the opening seconds of Bruce's first game in charge at home to Manchester City.

Fortunately Wigan recovered to salvage a 1-1 draw, but his latest gaffe yesterday again put the 26-year-old back in the spotlight bearing in mind his previously tortured time at Newcastle.

Bruce maintains greater concentration is required from Bramble if he is to go on and become a great defender.

As far as left-back Kilbane is concerned, he maintains none of the Latics players blame Bramble, and instead are there to support him.

"It's one of those things, although I'm sure he'll be disappointed from his own point of view," said Kilbane.

"But we'll rally round him and lift him, and he'll bounce back.

"He has been one of our better players this season, and people who watch us a lot realise that.

"Unfortunately, when Titus makes a mistake, it gets highlighted more than anybody else.

"But in saying that, he has done so well for us this season, even against Everton. You can't get round him because he is so strong and quick.

"Maybe the pitch didn't help. Sometimes you just put the ball in the stand, and then you just deal with it."

The JJB Stadium surface is proving a serious bone of contention, with Bruce fearing it could cost the club as they fight to avoid relegation.

Wretched weather recently and the fact they ground share with Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club has left the pitch rutted.

Two years ago it was relaid at a cost of £300,000, and it remains to be seen whether owner Dave Whelan will again do so with the season so far advanced.

Kilbane insists it is up to the players to make the most of such a bad lot, adding: "It is poor. I don't think anyone would say any different.

"It's certainly not helping us, of course it isn't, and if it's not going to get ripped up, then we have to try and use it to our advantage.

"We have to make it difficult for teams to play on that pitch because the likes of Everton are going to come and want to play.

"So we have to make it a scrap. Villa did that in the previous home game. They seemed to scrap better than us.

"Everton did that yesterday because it was a messy game, and yet they've ended up winning 2-1."

It was a game Wigan should certainly not have the lost as they had most of the play and the better chances, ultimately missing out on a win that could have seen them climb to 13th.

"That's what we looked at before the game, and we knew that," said Kilbane.

"We're very disappointed with the manner we lost the game because Everton haven't really done anything to beat us.

"But on a positive note we matched a team going for the Champions League, and we'd like to think if we continue to play like we did then we'll be okay."

ends