Ben Chorley's first-half goal staved off Wimbledon's inevitable relegation from Division One for another week and severely dented Wigan's play-off chances.
The Wimbledon captain's early glancing header from Jason Puncheon's corner
ended a run of 11 successive defeats for the Londoners. It was also enough to
secure Stewart Murdoch's side with their first win in 2004.
Defeat for Wimbledon in Lancashire, combined with results elsewhere, could have dumped
the Dons into Division Two but Chorley's eighth-minute header and Wigan's poorest display of the season conspired to give the visitors a stay of execution.
One of Wimbledon's five wins in the league came at promotion favourites West Brom and Wigan boss Jewell had warned his players all week about the perils of taking Wimbledon lightly.
Murdoch is already preparing his side for life in Division Two next season, but that did not stop them from making a flying start to the match.
Chorley glanced home Puncheon's corner, getting the slightest of touches to
give the visitors an early lead.
Wigan responded immediately, Nathan Ellington racing on to a long ball and
lobbing Wimbledon goalkeeper Scott Bevan only to see his effort shave the
crossbar.
Stand-in Wigan goalkeeper Gary Walsh, deputising for the suspended Jon Filan,
endured a nervous start and fumbled the ball for a corner following another
Wimbledon attack.
Ellington threatened again when he turned sharply on the edge of the box, but
his shot lacked the power needed to trouble Bevan.
Ellington then showed nimble footwork to create another opening, but again he
snatched at his shot as Wigan struggled to find their rhythm on the notoriously
bumpy JJB Stadium pitch.
Alan Mahon began to make headway down the left and his run and cross was
headed out for a corner, while Jimmy Bullard fired high and wide from 18 yards.
After half-time Wigan still failed to find their men and Wimbledon striker
Wayne Gray pulled a left-foot shot wide as the visitors threatened.
Andy Liddell volleyed over from Jason de Vos' knockdown and Ellington raised
home spirits when he skipped past Harry Ntimban-Zeh and fired just wide.
Jewell sent on Lee McCulloch for the misfiring Jason Roberts in the 59th
minute to try and shake Wigan into action and moments later Ellington scooped
his shot over the crossbar after turning his man again in the box.
But back came Wimbledon. Shola Oyedele played a one-two with Gray and his shot
came back of Walsh's post with the goalkeeper beaten.
Bullard was next to be hauled off by Jewell, with Gareth Farrelly handed the
task of bringing order to the Wigan midfield.
Dons substitute Malvin Kamara replaced Gray and within seconds waltzed past
Ian Brechin, but scuffed his shot when well-placed as Wigan continued to
splutter.
Ellington headed Liddell's corner powerfully at Bevan and although they huffed
and puffed the home side could not find a way back into the match.
Teams
Wigan Walsh, Eaden, De Vos, Breckin, Baines, Liddell, Jarrett,
Bullard (Farrelly 66), Mahon, Jason Roberts (McCulloch 60),
Ellington.
Subs Not Used: Salisbury, Mitchell, Neil Roberts.
Wimbledon Bevan, Oyedele, Ntimban-Zeh, Williams, Lewington,
Darlington, Chorley, Smith, Puncheon, Mackie, Gray (Kamara 72).
Subs Not Used: Martin, Jarrett, Gier, Harding.
Booked: Kamara, Chorley.
Goals: Chorley 5.
Att: 7,622
Ref: M Warren (W Midlands).
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