Goals from Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie were the two bright spots as Stoke signed off in their final home match of the season with a 2-0 win over Wigan.

The match only sprang into life in the last 20 minutes when Fuller's persistence saw him evade three defenders to fire past Richard Kingson.

Beattie headed home Matt Etherington's cross in the 76th minute as the Potters clinched their 10th victory this season at the Britannia Stadium.

Wigan carved out their first chance less than two minutes in when Hugo Rodallega headed a long punt forward into the path of Paul Scharner but his angled drive was straight at Thomas Sorensen. Debutant Cho Won-hee's 13th-minute through-ball sent Scharner running into the penalty area but although the Austrian went down in a tussle with Abdoulaye Faye referee Lee Probert waved play on.

Stoke's first shooting opportunity fell to Glenn Whelan moments later but he screwed a long-range effort wide. Cho then forced Sorensen to tip over his 19th-minute 30-yard shot at full stretch.

Charles N'Zogbia then wasted two chances as Wigan failed to threaten the home goal.

When the breakthrough came in the 69th minute it was largely thanks to Fuller's persistence and Wigan's inability to clear their lines.

Emmerson Boyce, Titus Bramble and Maynor Figueroa all had chances to tackle Fuller but he battled on and somehow had enough time to pick a spot high to Kingson's right.

Stoke added a second goal when Rory Delap's ball inside Mario Melchiot released Etherington down the left.

As Richard Kingson raced out Etherington scooped a cross to the far post where Beattie headed home.