Wigan claimed a crucial 2-0 win over relegation rivals Wolverhampton thanks to goals from James McCarthy and Charles N'Zogbia at Molineux on Saturday.
Roberto Martinez's side missed a first half penalty when Marcus Hahnemann saved Hugo Rodallega's effort after Wolves defender Richard Stearman was sent off for bringing down McCarthy.
But Scottish teenager McCarthy marked his first Premier League start with a goal on the hour.
Wigan were also reduced to 10 men when Hendry Thomas was sent off for two bookings but French star N'Zogbia put the result beyond doubt late on.
The Latics' win lifted them four points clear of the relegation zone, while Wolves remain one point above the bottom three.
The hosts should have been ahead in the 18th minute when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake latched onto a pass from Nenad Milijas.
However, the former Manchester United trainee prodded his shot tamely wide with just Chris Kirkland to beat.
Rodallega was posing all manner of problems for the Wolves defence and he hit the post with a fierce long-range drive.
Yet Rodallega must have feared it wasn't going to be his day in first half stoppage time.
Stearman gave away a penalty when he tugged McCarthy's shirt and was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
But Hahnemann saved Rodallega's spot-kick and then Paul Scharner sent the rebound wide.
Hahnemann came to Wolves' rescue again when he was perfectly positioned to keep out a fierce shot from Rodallega.
But the American was finally beaten on the hour. N'Zogbia shrugged off Stephen Ward's tackle and squared to Rodallega, who once again was denied by Hahnemann at close range. The rebound fell to McCarthy and he lashed home.
Wigan's task was made harder when Thomas committed his second bookable offence by fouling Stephen Ward in the 66th minute.
But they made the points safe in the 73rd minute when Rodallega shrugged off Michael Mancienne's challenge and teed up N'Zogbia, who cut in from the right before shooting into the corner of the net.
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