But Paul Jewell's side can count themselves unlucky as they lost out to goals from skipper Scott Parker and Shola Ameobi sandwiched in between a Lee McCulloch curler.
Wigan deserved a point at least as they had a shot cleared off the line, struck the post and looked to have a blatant penalty appeal turned down when Titus Bramble appeared to handle the ball in time added on.
While Jewell believed lady luck was not on the side of his team, Newcastle were left to bask in the glory as Athletic returned home pointless, just as they had done on their only other visit to St James' Park.
Torrential rain left it difficult underfoot and a few players struggled to get going, including Titus Bramble. As early as the second minute the big central defender went sprawling inside the Wigan half allowing Henri Camara a clear run at goal but he shot across Shay Given and wide.
At the other end, Emre's shot went wide but only just evaded the outstretched leg of Ameobi.
Nicky Butt suffered a freak injury after ten minutes when he was caught by the trailing leg of Emre. The former England man left for the dressing-room, only to return before departing for Charless N'Zogbia five minutes afterwards clearly suffering from concussion.
Debut making Chris Kirkland pulled off a stunning save to keep out a Parker 30 yarder and then from a Nobby Solano glancing header.
The deadlock was finally broken after thirty seven minutes when Ameobi showed superb skills on the left and crossed for Parker to get in front of Paul Scharner and glance a header beyond Kirkland.
It could have been level before the break, Camara's header crashing off the base of Given's far post.
Justice was done nine minutes into the second half when Heskey nodded down
Stephen Carr's clearance to McCulloch who from 16 yards scored with the most
delightful of curlers, this less than 30 seconds after Solano had cleared an Arjan De Zeeuw header off the line.
Needing to respond quickly, Newcastle did just that and scored an excellent
created winner after sixty four minutes.
Damien Duff's backheel released the driving force of N'Zogbia who striked from
30 yards for Kirkland to make a flying save only for Ameobi to follow in and volley the winner.
Denny Landzaat had a glorious chance to equalise, but the Dutchman lifted Heskey's inch perfect pass over the bar from only 14 yards.
Throwing everything at the home goal, De Zeeuw then saw a goalbound effort
strike substitute Steven Taylor and flash wide.
Manager Paul Jewell then showed his disgust by kicking a bucket after
referee Martin Atkinson brushed aside penalty claims in the dying seconds
after Bramble appear to handle Emmerson Boyce's long throw.