Peter Crouch earned Stoke a point after Franco Di Santo looked to have secured Wigan victory at the DW Stadium.
Di Santo's fifth goal in eight Premier League games had put the Latics 2-1 ahead just after the break before Crouch powered home Jon Walters' cross.
Walters had earlier levelled from the spot after Maynor Figueroa handled, which cancelled out Shaun Maloney's penalty that Robert Huth had conceded.
New Stoke buy Charlie Adam was denied a winner by Ali Al Habsi's stunning save.
Adam, who joined on Friday in a £4m deal from Liverpool, started his first match for the Potters on the substitutes bench.
But the Scot lifted his team-mates after replacing Andy Wilkinson, who suffered a first half head injury, in what was the former Blackpool player's first taste of Premier League action since March.
With the scores locked at 2-2, Adam thought he had scored a late winner with a deflected free-kick, which clipped Gary Caldwell, only for Al Habsi to produce a full stretch stop.
The Wigan keeper had become a father for the second time overnight, but the Oman international was alert to frustrate Adam.
It would have been harsh on the Latics had Adam scored.
Wigan enjoyed plenty of possession and twice led only to be pegged back by a spirited Stoke side who restored some much needed pride after a surprise midweek League Cup exit at the hands of Swindon.
The Latics were gifted a fifth-minute lead when Huth handled James McCarthy's fierce drive, former Celtic player Maloney taking full advantage from the penalty spot to score his fourth goal in 16 Premier League appearances for the club.
Roberto Martinez's team were the better side before the break, Stoke only coming to life after Adam replaced Wilkinson in the 36th minute.
By then the Latics should have doubled their lead, Arouna Kone squandering a great opportunity from close range after Emmerson Boyce had hooked Di Santo's centre across the six-yard area.
