Wigan Safe as Stoke Skulk Over Premiership Finishing Line.

Hugo Rodallega's late header gifted Wigan Premiership Survival while a poor end to the season for Stoke leaves a dirty mark on a otherwise tremendous season.

Stoke had the better of the early going at the Britannia and sent Wigan fan's hearts racing on a number of occasions early on.

Ireland international Jon Walters managed to flick the ball past Al-Habsi after just 11minutes only to see the referees assistant on the far side raise his flag to indicate offside, Walters having strayed into an offside position just before Jone's initial effort had rocketed towards the Irish man's feet.

The Wigan keeper didn't look comfortable coming for and collecting Stoke's crosses and long throws courtesy of Delap and Etherington while Jermain Pennant kept the Wigan number 26 busy with a strike from distance just before the half.

As bad as Wigan were in the first half, lacking in confidence both on and off the ball their second half performance saw them reignite the fires in their hearts and test Stoke keeper Begovic.

Rodallega and N'Zogbia tried cause havoc running at the Stoke back four while Sammon and Watson both saw efforts saved and blocked respectively.

Stoke in the mean time struggled coming forward as Wigan's defence held firm the runs of Pennant and dealt with Jones and Walters on the edge of the area.

Wigan's survival saving goal came 11 minutes from time when Charles Figureoa broke down the left before floating in a wonderful cross that found the head of Rodallega and sailed into the back of the net.

Stoke rallied and the final 5 minutes of the season saw Wigan backed up in their 18 yard box, but their pressure lead to very little and Wigan were able defend in numbers and clear when needed.

Wigan's win sees them stay in the Premiership while Stoke finish down in 13th denied a top half finish that would have seen them reach their highest league position since 1974/75.