Walsall could not take advantage of the sending-off of Wigan Athletic captain Craig Morgan as the Sky Bet League One encounter at the DW Stadium ended 0-0 with Wigan.
With former Saddlers Will Grigg and Jordy Hiwula leading their line, Wigan bossed the first half from start to finish.
Hiwula fired over from a good position, before winning a free-kick on the edge of the area.
Michael Jacobs had two efforts blocked with the ball ending up at the feet of Chris McCann, although he could not keep his shot down.
Walsall almost caught Wigan on the break just before the interval when Tom Bradshaw raced through and was only denied by a timely challenge by David Perkins.
Wigan put on new signing Yanic Wildschut at the interval, and the on-loan Middlesbrough man made an immediate impression.
Twice he danced his way through the defence to force good saves from Neil Etheridge.
Wildschut and Donervon Daniels then put in delicious crosses from either flank, only for Grigg to twice fluff his lines from right in front of the goal.
At the other end, Kieron Morris twice threatened Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal with low drives.
The visitors were given a boost inside the final quarter when Morgan was given a straight red card for tripping Morris on the edge of the area.
Despite dominating the closing stages they were unable to force a winning goal that would probably have been harsh on the home side.