Goals from Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie gave Stoke a comfortable win which saw them move above Wigan and into 11th in the Premier League table.
The match only sprang into life in the 69th minute when Fuller's persistence saw him evade three defenders and fire past Latics goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
Beattie sealed victory soon after when he headed in Matt Etherington's cross.
Wigan, without a win in seven games, struggled to respond and Fuller almost headed home a third goal late on.
The home side's solid performance underlined the progress they have made in their first year in the Premier League.
With the Potters' safety already guaranteed, their 10th league win of the season at the Britannia Stadium means they approach their final game of the campaign Arsenal next week with a chance of securing a top-half finish.
Wigan will end the season with much less optimism, and the inability to score that is the root of their problems was again apparent here.
Stoke manager Tony Pulis:
Stoke: Sorensen, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Cort (Pugh 46), Wilkinson, Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Etherington (Diao 76), Beattie (Cresswell 86), Fuller.
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Olofinjana, Kelly, Tonge.
Goals: Fuller 69, Beattie 76.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Koumas, De Ridder, McManaman.
Att: 25,641
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
www.bbc.co.uk
