Nathan Ellington's 15th goal of the season edged Wigan closer to an automatic promotion spot and maintained an amazing Premiership dream.
Ellington struck with just ten minutes remaining of a dire clash and although it was a deserved victory for the home side, Walsall will consider themselves unlucky not to leave the JJB Stadium with a point.
Picking up a superb pass from his striking partner Jason Roberts, Ellington's sweet right-foot shot finally beat Saddlers keeper James Walker and ended a brave reargyard action from a side looking for its first win in nine games.
Walker made a number of tremendous saves to keep his side level and while his counterpart John Filan was called into action once in the first half to deny Neil Emblen, it was the home side who dominated proceedings.
Manager Paul Jewell is refusing to get carried away with 14 games left and while the fans could be forgiven for dreaming of games against Arsenal and Manchester United next season, Jewell said: "I won't be sucked into talking about what might be.
"There is a long way to go and it's a case of keeping our feet firmly on the ground.
"It wasn't pretty, but we scrapped and battled and fully deserved the three points.
"Walsall made it hard for us and it is not easy to play on our pitch, but it is something we will have to get used to.
"This is not the time for pretty stuff. It's all about results."