The 18-year-old saw his 75th-minute shot loop into the net via a deflection off half-time substitute Andrew Hughes, marking his fourth goal of the season while helping his manager Ryan Lowe to get one over his former employers.

Wigan nearly took a first-minute lead when Dara Costelloe guided Joseph Hungbo’s cross narrowly wide on the volley from close range.

North End rallied and had two chances in the first 10 minutes, with Jordan Storey planting Jordan Thompson’s corner well over the bar before Lewis Dobbin dragged Pol Valentin’s cutback wide of the post from just inside the box.

In the 15th minute, the Latics had the clearest opportunity yet with Costelloe brilliantly latching onto Bettoni’s lofted ball over the top but the ex-Burnley man dragged agonisingly wide of the far post with just Daniel Iversen to beat.

After a pulsating start, the game fizzled out dramatically, but the decisive moment arrived later on in the second half as Bettoni controlled Callum Wright’s pass across the box before sending thousands of Wigan fans into ecstasy as the ball bounced into the net.

North End nearly got a speedy reply shortly after as substitute Alfie Devine forced Sam Tickle into a smart save low down at his near post – Preston’s first shot on target.

The Latics should have wrapped it up just five minutes later when Devine conceded a penalty having tripped up substitute Maleace Asamoah but Wright smashed the spot-kick high over the bar.

Wigan had one final scare as Tickle clawed out Devine’s header in the dying seconds and, even though substitute Brad Potts stabbed in the rebound, the offside flag was raised.