Indeed such was the visitors predicament that they could only muster four substitutes - three of which were 16-year-old apprentices
It wasn't until the introduction of Wigan's recognised strikeforce of David Connolly and Jason Roberts that the home side finally looked like breaking the deadlock in a game that did little to warm the hands of the 3,500 spectators.
It was Roberts who finally put Wigan into Saturday's draw with a late, late winner after he picked up a neat through ball from Connolly and rifled a shot into the corner from 12 yards.
But the long spells Bournemouth frustrated and harassed their Premiership opponents worked like a dream, and while they failed to muster a single shot on target, their uncompromising approach and disciplined play proved a real hindrance to both the home players and supporters.
A turgid first half will be quickly forgotten as the only effort of note was a snap-shot from Henri Camara that Gareth Stewart did well to save.
Camara's effort came after 36 minutes and was the only notable piece of action which said much about the quality of the entertainment on offer.
It needed the double substitution by Wigan boss Paul Jewell who replaced Andreas Johansson and the ineffective Gary Teale with Roberts and Connolly.
Their impact was immediate with Roberts providing a pass for Camara to fire in a telling cross that Josip Skoko headed inches wide.
Moments later it was Camara's turn to go close when he saw his goalbound header deflected for a corner.
It was all Wigan as Bournemouth visibly tired but at the other end the home side had an amazing let off when defender David Wright contrived to head a harmless looking cross against his own post before the ball bounced safely into the hands of John Filan.
Normal service was resumed when Alan Mahon bought a fine save from Stewart and then the Bournemouth keeper excelled yet again with a superb one-handed stop from Camara's six-yard drive.
But just as it seemed gallant Bournemouth would take the game into extra time up popped Roberts with his dramatic winner to send Wigan into Saturday's draw.