A Sam Collins own goal and second-half strikes from Jordi Gomez and Victor Moses gave Wigan passage into the Carling Cup third round.
The Latics beat Hartlepool 3-0 at Victoria Park, and perhaps crucially more a side that had conceded ten goals in their first two Premier League games, managed to keep a clean sheet.
For that, they were grateful to goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who pulled off a brilliant save to deny Joe Gamble in the 28th minute.
The Omani could have ruined his good work moments later, when he failed to deal with a cross from Antony Sweeney, but Andy Monkhouse shot wide.
Wigan were 1-0 up at this stage, after a Gomez free-kick into the area was deflected into the goal by Collins.
Gomez scored the second in the 76th minute with a superb 25-yard free-kick in off the underside of the bar.
And with four minutes to go substitute Moses made it three when he unleashed a left-foot shot from the edge of the box that home goalkeeper Scott Flinders was unable to deal with.
Charles N'Zogbia, set for a move to Birmingham, came on for the last 11 minutes in place of Mauro Boselli.