But with time running out, Leeds got their reward when Wigan failed to clear a couple of headers in their own area, and the ball fell to Hulse who fired home.
Latics boss Paul Jewell had promised to ring the changes and was as good as his word rotating his squad ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Tuesday. Only three of the side on duty at Birmingham were in the starting line-up.
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It was the first FA Cup clash between the clubs since 1987 when Wigan were very much the underdogs and lost 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the competition.
This time around the Latics were favourites to progress - a stark illustration of the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs in recent years.
Kevin Blackwell had no injury problems and stuck with one-time Wigan target Robbie Blake up front alongside Hulse leaving, Richard Cresswell on the bench.
United produced the early threats with Blake forcing keeper John Filan into decisive action. The Aussie star - making his first appearance since November - did well to block Blake's attempt on goal after American winger Eddie Lewis caused the initial problems on the left.
On-loan Jonathan Douglas - given permission to play by Blackburn Rovers - also had a shot deflected off target while, at the other end, Alan Mahon picked out Matt Jackson at the back post with an excellent cross, but the Wigan skipper's header failed to trouble Neil Sullivan.
Mahon figured again, supplying another good ball into the danger area, but Sullivan comfortably held Lee McCulloch's header.
A stray pass from Ryan Taylor had Wigan on the back foot but Jackson rescued the situation getting back to stop Douglas as he ran in on goal.
Jackson also got in a timely tackle on Blake with the Leeds striker claiming in vain for a penalty.
Blake had a shot blocked by Steve McMillan before Wigan broke the deadlock two minutes after the re-start.
Taylor's long throw was drilled to the edge of the six-yard area by McCulloch and Connolly stuck out his left foot to provide the finish.
The Latics went close to claiming a second with Taylor again the supply line, this time from a corner. Swedish midfielder Andreas Johansson powered in the header and, with Sullivan beaten, Lewis was on the spot to clear off the line.
Filan was spared embarrassment when his poor clearance went straight to Liam Miller who reacted quickly but failed to get the ball past the back-tracking Wigan keeper.
Leeds sent on David Healy to replace Blake and he quickly made his presence felt firing a snap-shot over the bar from long range.
Connolly twice went close to adding to his goal, rattling one wide and forcing a save from Sullivan.
But United kept plugging away in search of an equaliser. Filan kept out a Shaun Derry header, and Cresswell had a penalty appeal turned down before Hulse - once a Wigan target - finally struck to level it and leave the Latics facing the last thing they wanted - a replay at Elland Road.