Gifton Noel-Williams ended Stoke's six-game league goal drought to give the Potters a much-needed win and put a dent in Wigan's title hopes at the JJB Stadium.

The Stoke striker drove a 39th-minute shot past Wigan goalkeeper John Filan after excellent play from Clive Clarke on the left to end a run of five straight Coca-Cola Championship defeats for Tony Pulis' men.

Midfielder Jimmy Bullard beat two men before miscuing Wigan's first opening. They continued to press and Jason Roberts went down in the box in the 20th minute under a heavy challenge from Lewis Buxton but referee Mark Clattenburg only gave the Latics a corner.

Leighton Baines came close to breaking the deadlock with a 24th-minute strike which flashed wide of Steve Simonsen's post and the former Everton goalkeeper then denied Gary Teale after a quickly-taken free-kick.

Against the run of play Stoke then took the lead with a moment of rare quality.

Clarke crossed from the left, Marcus Hall miscued and Noel-Williams slammed the ball confidently past Filan.

Wigan hit back with urgency and Simonsen did well to punch clear from a crowded box, before saving a 20-yard effort from Mahon.

City began to look far better than recent results suggested and Noel-Williams broke free in the 52nd minute only to be denied a shooting chance by Brazilian centre-back Emerson Thome.

Gerry Taggart was booked in the 55th minute after the Stoke defender scythed down Roberts in the middle of the park.

Roberts was then on the receiving end of more rough treatment as he was hauled down by Hall on the right.

Teale was also booked before being withdrawn in the 75th minute as Latics boss Paul Jewell looked for a degree of guile from his side.

However, it was Stoke who should have wrapped up the game in the 80th minute, with Noel-Williams guilty of dithering on the ball after finding space 30 yards from goal. His tame effort was easily saved by Filan.

Five minutes of added injury time reflected the stop-start nature of the game with Buxton and Simonsen (time-wasting) both shown yellow cards, but Stoke were able to hold out for a well-fought victory.

Teams

Wigan Filan, Eaden, Thome, Jackson, Baines (Graham 82), Teale (Johansson 75), Bullard, Mahon, McCulloch, Roberts, Ellington.

Subs Not Used: Walsh, Breckin, Jarrett.

Booked: Thome, Teale.

Stoke Simonsen, Buxton, Taggart, Hill, Hall, Asaba, Eustace (Henry 47), Brammer, Clive Clarke, Noel-Williams, Greenacre.

Subs Not Used: de Goey, Neal, Gudjonsson, Gudmunsson.

Booked: Taggart, Hall, Asaba, Buxton, Simonsen.

Goals: Noel-Williams 39.

Att: 9,938

Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).