Midfielder Koumas faces a three-match suspension after catching Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill in a challenge for a 50-50 ball, after which referee Steve Tanner quickly reached for his pocket.

However, whilst there has been a clampdown of late on two-footed tackles, and also those with studs showing, Latics manager Bruce feels there are grounds for an appeal, with Tanner to take another look at the incident.

"I've seen it, and given the climate and what happened a few weeks ago, we're all horrified when we see an injury like that," remarked Bruce, referring to Arsenal striker Eduardo's broken leg following a tackle by Birmingham's Martin Taylor.

"But it has happened in football for years, and you do know that part and parcel of the game is that you get injured, and usually from physical contact.

"If he (Koumas) had been two-footed, and over the top of the ball, then I would say the referee is right and he doesn't deserve to be on the pitch.

"When you do make a challenge and you slide into the ball, then it is impossible not to show your studs.

"But the big thing is he has tried to go for the ball and not gone over it, so in my opinion it is a challenge that deserved a yellow card.

"We've asked the referee and he has very kindly said he would look at it because for me I think it is harsh.

"I do think it is because of the climate we're in because at the moment referees are under enormous pressure.

"People don't know the rules any more. If you now make a sliding challenge and you miss it, is it a straight red? I think that needs to be clarified.

"If that's the case then you cannot take the chance of trying to slide in for the ball.

"So we now have to go down the proper channels (for an appeal)."

Bolton manager Gary Megson, who previously signed Koumas when he was West Brom boss, indicated that maybe the Welshman deserved to be dismissed.

"Jason is an exceptional talent, but tackling is not one of his best qualities," said Megson.

"He has gone into a tackle, lunged at it a little bit, and with the rules the way they are now, it (the red card) is probably the right thing.

"It's unfortunate from Jason's point of view, but he is not a tackler, and it was shown there."

Ten-man Wigan went on to take the lead in the 34th minute, with Emile Heskey scoring his first goal for seven months, ending a 20-match drought with a hooked right-foot volley.

The Latics then managed to hold on for the remainder of the game, despite coming under severe pressure in the second half.

They were fortunate not to be reduced to nine men and concede a penalty when Michael Brown clearly handled a Kevin Davies header on the line, however, the woeful Tanner missed that incident.

"I haven't seen that one at all, but of course you need a bit of luck," added Bruce, whose side are now six points clear of the relegation zone.

"But given the circumstances, it was a magnificent result. I don't think there's been a team that has worked so hard for a win.

"They were terrific. They've run a million miles for one another to get the result, and with a bit of ability as well."

Bolton, meanwhile, remain firmly entrenched in the bottom three after a fourth successive defeat, and will stay there according to Megson unless they improve.

"We have to wake up very quickly," added Megson.

"Hopefully they will now recognise we're in the bottom three, but if we keep doing what we did today then we will stay in the bottom three.

"We have to roll our sleeves up and start doing what everybody else is doing around us, which is battling, scrapping, putting in a good shift and accepting our position."

Megson's woes have been compounded by the fact Jussi Jaaskelainen will miss the remainder of the season with a back injury.

"He needs six weeks of rest to try and resolve his problem, and he is also going to need some form of surgery," added Megson.

"Either way, his season is over."