PAUL Jewell fears Wigan's failure to capitalise on winning positions is jeopardising their bid for Premiership safety.

Wanderers' 3-1 win at the JJB Stadium on Saturday left the Latics just two points and two places clear of the drop zone and left their manager counting the cost of defensive frailties.

Emile Heskey put them ahead in the 31st minute but a Nicolas Anelka goal just before half-time and a second half brace from Andranik Teimourian left Jewell to concede "We're in a dogfight."

The timing of the Wanderers' equaliser, he said, was crucial.

"I thought we played well in the first half as we had lots of free kicks and lots of corners, but then we conceded a goal at a bad time.

"The second half was a scrappy derby game and they took their chances.

"We looked disjointed once they scored the second. It didn't look like we wanted to get back in it and we never looked like threatening their goal.

"For all the pressure we had, we never worked their goalkeeper enough.

"We've conceded goals too easily when we were under pressure and we were not doing that in the recent run of wins we had.

"When things go against us we need to roll our sleeves up more. We have to fight and dig deep."

Nevertheless, former Bradford manager Jewell remains upbeat about the prospects of beating the drop, despite Charlton and West Ham mounting spirited survival bids of their own.

"It's the team that stays focused and stays together and keeps their head in a tense situation that will survive," he said, "But were still confident because it's still in our own hands."