Joe Taylor scored the only goal late on to give Wigan victory over Luton in Gary Caldwell's first game back as manager.
A first win in seven league games lifted Wigan out of the League One relegation places and dealt a blow to Luton's play-off push.
Luton had the only sight of goal during an uneventful first half, when Isaiah Jones was fouled inches outside the penalty area.
Kasey Palmer curled the ball over the wall but Sam Tickle made a good save in the Wigan goal.
The second half was all Wigan, with Morgan Fox and Taylor, twice, forcing good saves from Luton goalkeeper Josh Keeley.
Caldwell's assistant, David Perkins, was booked with 20 minutes remaining on his return to Wigan to add to the occasion.
But Wigan continued to press and took the lead two minutes later, when substitute Dara Costelloe fed Taylor, whose finish was clinical as Keeley tried to close him down.
Luton thought they had found a leveller with four minutes to go, only for Jordan Clark's left-footed strike to fly inches past the far post.
Wigan came agonisingly close to doubling their lead when Joseph Hungbo's superb cross was stabbed over the bar from four yards by Costelloe.
But the home side needed two goal-line clearances in the seventh added minute - from Fox and Will Aimson - to secure a priceless three points.
