Roberto Di Matteo blasts referees

Boss Roberto Di Matteo has claimed referees are costing Albion points after they were denied another penalty in their 2-2 draw with Wigan.

The Baggies were refused a spot-kick when Latics defender Gary Caldwell appeared to handle inside his own box.

And that decision from referee Phil Dowd, combined with a series of near-misses, left Di Matteo frustrated.

He said: "I feel we deserved a bit more. We hit the post twice and their goalkeeper made some incredible saves and we didn't get a penalty again. It seems like it's every game now.

"We didn't get one against Blackburn, today and against Manchester United. They are adding up and costing us as well. We tried very hard and we started well.

"We had an offensive team out there and had 17 attempts on goal. We hit the post twice and had chances – we tried to win the game.

"It's quite normal for us to create chances – maybe not as many as last night, but we do create chances.

"Last night there were a lot. Sometimes we need that little bit of luck where it comes off the post and goes in or drops in front of one of our players.

"But we certainly put pressure on Wigan and finished very strongly."

Di Matteo was encouraged by the debut display of Arsenal loanee Carlos Vela, who played for 58 minutes as a winger.

The Baggies boss said: "Carlos had a good start to the game. He was dangerous and I think he'll be a very good addition for us.

"We knew he was not going to last 90 minutes, so the substitution was more or less planned."

The head coach also cleared goalkeeper Boaz Myhill of any blame for Wigan's second goal, after former Baggies loanee Ben Watson's free-kick travelled across the goalmouth and crept past several players to go inside Myhill's far post.

Di Matteo said: "There were a lot of bodies in front of him and it's difficult. It was a quality free-kick as well. It's difficult for the goalkeeper to come there because he's got a box full of players.

"You hope one of your defenders can intercept the ball – but it was a quality free-kick."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes his club's decision to keep Charles N'Zogbia paid dividends after he starred in the match and scored their first goal.

The Latics turned down bids from N'Zogbia's former club, Newcastle, late on deadline day.

Martinez said: "Our intention this window was to finish with a stronger squad.

"We had two major objectives, getting all the players back from injury, and we didn't want to lose any of the prize assets. We managed to do that. In the past, the fans have been a bit disappointed at losing players at the wrong time.

"Everyone is proud that Wigan made a bit of a statement by keeping the players for the important challenges we have at the moment."

Martinez also believes that Wigan could have beaten Albion.

He said: "My emotions are a bit of mixture. We are disappointed that we dropped two points. That is a disappointment we all share in the dressing room.

"I think we showed fantastic character with good footballing talent that allowed us to get back in the game and to go ahead.

"I thought the key moment was we had a period of five minutes in the second-half when we had two good opportunities. If you score the third goal, the game is over.

"But West Brom have got a real winning feeling after achieving what they did last season and what they achieved this campaign already."