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Aside from the goal, the defence was much stronger with Paul Scharner complimenting Emmerson Boyce superbly at centre half.
However, there was little attacking impetus and apart from Antonio Valencia, the midfield wasn't quick or strong enough.
Josip Skoko looks shattered and Denny Landzaat just didn't get into the game as the midfield was over-run by the South-American duo of Julio Arca and Fabio Rochemback.
The Latics had little answer until the final twenty minutes when Valencia controlled the play after being moved in to the centre. The only down side was David Cotterill on the right flank who was pathetic.
Both Julius Aghahowa and Emile Heskey ran their legs off up front, as did Caleb Folan when he came on for the Nigerian. The only problem was that a goal looked unlikely.
Despite Ryan Taylor's superb set-piece delivery, there was not one chance that arrived as a result of a corner, and Baines managed to put once cross over from the left all game.
The only source of attack was the inspiriational Valencia down the right with Taylor backing him up for support.
Although a win is needed next week, supporters can be thankfull that the defence now looks strong, although where a goal will come from is anyone's guess.
A lot can change in 90 minutes of football, and if Wigan Athletic are to survive in the top flight, then it's going to be all change at the bottom of the Premiership.
If not, a long summer fighting in the courts lies in wait.
Here is the reaction from the two managers.
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"I've been saying all season that it is in our hands, but now we must hope results go our way next week. It could mean in a strange way that the pressure will no longer be on us, as West Ham have been playing and people will be writing us off now.
"We have to go to Sheffield United and put up a big performance and go to win the match. We are on the floor at the moment and we are battered and bruised but we are still breathing, so maybe we can get up and fight back.
"I do not think the free-kick should have been allowed because he hit the ball twice. You could tell by the way of the flight of the ball and I thought that maybe either the referee or linesman would have got the decision, but we did not react quick enough and Viduka put it in unopposed.
"The players gave tremendous effort, and they huffed and puffed but we just didn't have the quality in the right areas when it mattered enough.
"We have had the rub of the green or some of the referee's decisions, but also because we haven't been good enough. But if we do stay up it will feel like we have won the Premiership, F.A. Cup and Champions League all rolled into one."
Gareth Southgate
"We knew we needed a result here, as has been proven with results elsewhere, so the win was crucial. We knew other results could go against us so we had to take things into our hands and it's important we did that.
"I am delighted with the performance and the character we have shown. People said to me 37 points would be enough but I always thought it would be 41.
"Perhaps it won't be 41 but I'm glad we've passed that mark, that's for sure. I would understand Wigan may have some questions about the goal but I think we've had a fair few decisions go against us this year and the way we approached the game and the effort we put in, sometimes you earn your luck."
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