Nick Powell, the Wigan star once signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for £4 million, lifted his team into the play-off places for a few hours at least with a superb second half goal.
The former Manchester United youngster, on his 100th league appearance for the club, rose to meet a brilliantly-judged right-wing cross from Josh Windass after 51 minutes with a downward header that gave Niki Maenpaa no chance in the visitors’ goal.
It was midfielder Powell’s fourth goal of the season, following the 15 he netted in Wigan’s promotion from League One last term, and an indication of why Fergie signed him from Crewe for Manchester United half a dozen years ago.
But it was another disappointing evening for Lee Johnson’s visitors who made a strong promotion bid over the first half of last season and had compiled a four-match winning run before losing at West Brom in midweek.
Bristol should have snatched the lead after just six minutes following a disastrous back pass by Wigan full-back Antonee Robinson.
That was intercepted by Andreas Weimann who raced clear on the Wigan goal only to be denied by Cedric Kipre’s superb covering tackle.
Michael Jacobs and Nick Powell threatened the Bristol goal with half-chances but the visitors remained a threat on the break and Weimann played in Famara Diedhiou only for his team mate to see a selfish shot blocked.
Bristol also forced a series of late first half corners with Lloyd Kelly heading straight at Wigan keeper Christian Walton from the best of them.
And Wigan could have been down to 10 men before the break, after a high challenge by Joe Garner caught Adam Webster, although the striker escaped with a yellow.
But Paul Cook’s side grew in confidence after taking the lead and the impressive Windass cut in from the left before sending an 18-yard shot just wide soon after.
An ugly, but accidental, clash of heads added to Johnson’s woes as his defender Tomas Kalas required lengthy treatment before being helped off the field although there was still time for Diedhiou to head a 95th minute chance straight at the keeper from close range.