Jason Koumas is hoping referee Steve Tanner will admit to making a mistake and rescind the red card shown to the Wigan midfielder.

Koumas was sent off after just four minutes of Sunday's crucial 1-0 win over relegation rivals Bolton at the JJB Stadium.

The Welshman faces a three-match suspension after catching Wanderers centre-back Gary Cahill in a challenge for a 50-50 ball.

At the request of Wigan boss Steve Bruce, who is to appeal, Tanner is to review the incident again, leaving Koumas to hope common sense prevails.

"It was the first tackle of the game," reflected a disappointed Koumas.

"They said I went in with two feet, but I obviously didn't. It was one foot. It was absolutely nothing. I don't know why I've got the red card.

"I've seen it a million times on the telly, and it's one-footed. There was nothing nasty in it at all, and it wasn't even high.

"I can't believe that decision, and everybody is saying the same thing, but he (Tanner) has obviously seen it differently.

"If he's saying I've gone in with two feet, I hope he looks at it and he sees it's one so he can over-turn it.

"I really hope I'm not looking at a three-game ban. I can't get three games for that, the first tackle of the match.

"If it was high then I'd hold my hands up, but I'm on the deck."

Despite Koumas' early exit, Wigan went on to produce a resilient performance and take three priceless points courtesy of Emile Heskey's first goal since mid-August to end a 20-match drought.

The Latics have now taken eight points from their last four games to move six points clear of the bottom three and appear poised to guarantee their safety.

Bruce, though, is refusing to count his chickens, adding: "Two more wins would give us 37 points, which is usually enough as 34 or 35 points has been enough in the last few years on average.

"We're edging towards it, but we've two big away games coming up next at Blackburn and Portsmouth, so it's going to be a tough challenge.

"To be honest, we've a tough run-in, so I'm not taking anything for granted just yet."

Crucial for Bruce and Wigan is the fact his side have kept four consecutive clean sheets, and five in the last six matches.

"That's been the key because when I arrived we were conceding two goals a game," reflected Bruce.

"We had to do something, and you can see how much we've improved, with the likes of Paul Scharner producing an unbelievable performance.

"Emmerson Boyce has come into the team, Erik Edman has quietly done his job, and Chris Kirkland looks an England goalkeeper at the moment, that's for sure.

"I've certainly not worked with a better one, so let's hope they can all keep up those standards."

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