DRISSA Diallo accepted blame for the mistake which led to Wigan's opening goal – and admitted the whole team needed to cut out the errors if they want to remain serious promotion challengers.

DRISSA Diallo accepted blame for the mistake which led to Wigan's opening goal – and admitted the whole team needed to cut out the errors if they want to remain serious promotion challengers, writes Derek Davis.

The Guinea international said: "I tried to anticipate the second ball, which we had been losing all game, but unfortunately it went past me and there was no one there to catch him after that.

"The only way now is to work and work and work. We also have to cut out the mistakes. It is happening too much, especially at home. The run is very poor and, as a team that wants to be promoted, we cannot afford to keep doing that."

And the affable Frenchman has called on the Blues support to swallow their disappointment and roar them on to victory against Bradford City at Portman Road on Saturday.

He said: "We have to keep believing in ourselves. We are disappointed for the fans and can understand how they feel but we really need for them to be behind us in the next home game."

The 31-year-old Mauritania-born defender, who made his English debut for Burnley against Ipswich last year before making the switch to Portman Road in the summer, gave Wigan credit for their super showing.

He said: "We are all disappointed because we did not do things right.

"We were not at our best and while we were poor Wigan played very well. They are a good side with everyone working hard all over the pitch. They were athletic and had quality up front with good movement."

Diallo's disappointing weekend got even worse when Guinea went out of the African Cup of Nations with a 2-1 defeat by Mali.

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk