Shaun Maloney rescued an unlikely point for Wigan with an 89th minute equaliser against relegation rivals Southampton.
Maloney popped up at the far post to tap in from close range just minutes after Wigan had deservedly gone 2-1 down.
The point denied Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino his first win in the Premier League which would have extended the gap between his side and Wigan in the relegation places.
The game began scrappily with both teams trying to play their fluid passing games but neither being able to settle.
It was eventually Southampton who took control of the game with their high-pressing causing Wigan all kinds of problems at the back.
Chances were at a premium and it took a set-piece from Wigan, against the run of play, to break the deadlock in the 25th minute.
Jean Beausejour crossed from the left and found Gary Caldwell planted on the penalty spot. He thundered a header into the bottom corner to put the home side ahead.
This was all Wigan managed to muster as Ricky Lambert became more and more influential in the game. His link up play was superb and he conducted all of Saints' attacks but to no avail as Wigan were able to hold on to their lead until half-time.
In the second half Southampton took full control. They dominated possession and did not let Wigan find any sort of rhythm without creating much themselves until the 59th minute.
A superb crossfield pass from Jack Cork found Lambert who skinned Maynor Figueroa before putting the ball on a plate for Morgan Schneiderlin to finish, only for the midfielder to miscue his shot and see Wigan clear.
Just five minutes later and Lambert himself provided the equaliser as he rose above Ali Al Habsi from close range to nod the ball into an empty net.
Southampton had the wind in their sales and in the 72nd minute, substitute Adam Lallana found himself with space in the penalty area only to drive the ball low onto the near post.
It only took a minute for Saints to carve out another chance as impressive youngster Luke Shaw crossed to Lambert at the far post but his first-time volley flashed across goal and wide.
As Wigan started to push forward in search of a winner, Southampton countered with devastating effect.
James Ward-Prowse came off the bench and ran the length of his half before releasing Jay Rodriguez down the left wing. The striker then absolutely powered past the Wigan defender before getting to the by-line and finding Schneiderlin in the six-yard box who couldn't miss and swept the ball home to give Southampton a deserved lead.
After this, Southampton dropped deeper and deeper allowing Wigan to attack. In the 89th minute Beausejour swung in a corner from the left which found Paul Scharner. His header looped to the far post where Maloney was waiting to sweep home an equaliser.
Saints hearts were broken and Pochettino denied his first win in the Premier League as the game finished frantically but with no more chances being created.
A point means Wigan are still behind Southampton by three points near the bottom of the table but Roberto Martinez will know it could have been a lot worse.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ricky Lambert – An excellent performance from the striker and he grabbed a goal. His link up play with the rest of his team was sublime and he was at the heart of everything good Southampton did today.
PLAYER RATINGS
WIGAN: Al Habsi 6, McCarthy 6, Caldwell 7, Di Santo 7, Maloney 8, McArthur 6, Espinoza 4, Beausejour 4, Stam 3, Figueroa 6, Scharner 7. Subs: Henriquez 6, Gomez 6, McManaman 6
SOUTHAMPTON: Boruc 6, Clyne 5, Yoshida 5, Hooiveld 5, Shaw 7, Schneiderlin 8, Ramirez 6, Cork 7, Puncheon 6, Lambert 9, Rodriguez 8. Subs: Davis 6, Lallana 7, Ward-Prowse 6
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