The fact there was a tinge of disappointment that Bristol City only left Ashton Gate with a point shows the progress that has been made over the last six weeks.
It could, and perhaps, should have been three especially when the hosts took the lead in the 35th minute when Rob Atkinson headed home Anis Mehmeti's excellent cross. The game was devoid of quality up until that point, but the tricky winger unlocked the defence with a moment of class with the in-swinging delivery.
The frustrations boiled down to the first 20 minutes of the second half when City came out looking slightly disjointed and were punished with a really poor goal to concede. A low cross from the right evaded a number of red shirts before finding its way into the path of Ashley Fletcher at the back post.
It seemed to energise the hosts and Alex Scott was desperately unlucky when his header hit the top of the crossbar from Joe Williams' cross. Mehmeti then came within inches of finding the winner when his delivery rebounded back off the post.
On the bright side, City's unbeaten run stretched to double figures but a point leaves them 16th in the Championship, just two points adrift of Coventry in 11th. Here's the talking points with the two sides sharing the spoils.
Breaking down teams
We've seen how ruthless Bristol City can be on the counter-attack when teams like to dominate possession. Last night, we saw the other side to Pearson's side when teams come to Ashton Gate to sit back and soak up the pressure.
You have to give credit to Wigan. Shaun Maloney has come in and has them well-drilled, organised and playing to their strengths. In his post-match interview, Pearson had absolutely no doubt they would ensure their Championship survival this season.
The impetus was on the hosts to break them down and it quickly became clear why Wigan came into the contest on the back of two clean sheets. They were playing for the counter-attack, looking to take advantage of set-pieces and deliveries into the area.
City had 53.6 per cent of possession - just for reference, their average in the Championship this season is 47.6%. Although they registered just one shot on target. In the 3-0 victory over West Brom, City had 38.4% possession, 41.4% in the win at Preston and 39% in the away victory over Swansea in the FA Cup.
Pearson has been open in the past that his team aren't a possession-based side. Their strengths lie in the counter-attack but if they are to go to the next level, it's certainly a side of their game they will have to improve.
The January arrival of Anis Mehmeti is an indication that during tight games like the one last night when the opposition aims to strangle the life out of a game, Pearson is adding players who can produce those moments of class that can prove the difference. Of course, Alex Scott also has that ability.
In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Pearson did make a reference that his team were still miles away from where he wants them to be. You can assume that finding different ways to win matches when they enjoy the majority of the ball taps into those comments.
This process won't happen overnight. If they are as ruthless in possession as they are on the counter-attack, then they'll be flying high towards the top of the league. So there has to be a dose of realism when facing a side like Wigan and as mentioned previously, on any other day, City would have walked away with the points.
Andi's wide role
City's club captain was making his first start in six weeks, coming in for the in-form Mark Sykes who was rested ahead of the trip to Sunderland on Saturday. He started out on the right, in a position that he hasn't particularly featured predominantly under Pearson although has played there for large periods during his career.
It was an opportunity for him to stake his claim in the side and given the form of Sykes including five goals in his last six starts, Weimann needed a performance if he was going to be considered for the Black Cats. Unfortunately, it was a frustrating night for the Austrian.
While Sykes and George Tanner have built up such a strong partnership on that right side, that was lacking last night with Weimann often isolated. When he did get into good crossing positions, his final delivery let him down.
One cross in the second half flew into the stands while another was wildly overhit which evaded the onrushing forwards. At times, it almost felt as though he was trying too hard.
In his defence, he's surely not match fit. He missed four games last month with a hamstring injury and returned to play just 11 minutes across two league games before last night's contest so it's understandable he may have been rusty in certain areas of his play.
He has plenty of credit in the bank and has remained one of the most dependable and reliable players in the squad over the last 18 months, but it just didn't come off for him. It was always going to be a tall order to encapsulate the form that saw him score 22 league goals last campaign.
After the game, Pearson spoke about his involvement and conceded he will now have to fight for his place in the side including away from his favoured No10 position. He said: "I'll say the same about him even though he's the captain, as I will about anybody.
"If he wants to play in the side, he'll play where the team needs him to go. So Andi's best position is the No10 position. Alex Scott has been playing very well there. If Andi wants to play in the side, he will need to play where the team needs him to be and that is the same for everybody."
Pearson's wait continues
Last night proved an opportunity for Nigel Pearson to achieve a feat that has so far eluded him as Bristol City manager. As he approaches his two-year anniversary, the City manager has yet to win three league matches in a row.
The last time it happened came under Dean Holden in the 2020/21 campaign following victories over Huddersfield, Cardiff and Derby County. Heading into the game in terrific form, there was almost an expectancy Wednesday evening was going to be the day where Pearson would make it a hat-trick of victories.
The City boss was keen to dampen expectations before kick-off. This is the Championship after all, in a league where everybody can beat each other.
It became evident in the opening 10 minutes of the match that it was going to be far from a classic and City were going to have their work cut out. They needed to show ingenuity and imagination to break down their opponents - only the woodwork proving the difference between a point and three points.
Three league wins on the bounce would have fuelled those murmurs of a play-off charge but it was certainly more hope than expectation. In reality, the draw probably ends any slim chances of a charge towards the top six unless they pull off a dramatic victory at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
But there's no doubt City are heading in the right direction. Remember, it was only the penultimate game of last season when Pearson managed his first back-to-back league victories during his tenure.
Scott and Williams avoid bookings
There was one moment in the second half that raised a wry smile. It was when James McClean attempted to square up to Joe Williams on the touchline following a challenge by George Tanner in front of the dugout.
It was a strong tackle by Tanner that left the winger far from happy on the ground. After a brief and rather uneventful melee of players, Williams and McClean emerged from the pile keen to share a few words.
Williams, presumably knowing he is one yellow card away from a two-match ban, immediately turned his back and walked away from getting himself into any trouble. Given how impressive he was throughout the game and the task at hand on Saturday, it was important he maintained his discipline because Pearson is going to need him.
It's probably a stretch to say Williams' excellent performance was in any relation to the fact there was a potential two-game ban looming over him but he was faultless throughout. His timing in the tackle was superb, he read the game well and intercepted any passes that were attempted through the middle.
He also had the second-best passing accuracy in a City shirt (87 per cent) behind Rob Atkinson. Similarly with Alex Scott, he was another player who had to play with caution knowing a yellow card would have ruled him out of games against Sunderland and Hull City.
I had wrongly predicted he could be rested for yesterday's game for that reason alone given the fact that on paper, the trip to Sunderland is a tougher game. Scott was substituted with 13 minutes to play while Pearson may have had an eye on the weekend in his decision to bring him off.
City aren't blessed with an abundance of options in the midfield, especially with Kal Naismith out with a calf injury. But they have versatility.
Mehmeti can play in that No10 position, as he did when Scott was subbed off, while Weimann can also fill that role. Andy King would also be the most suitable replacement in a defensive midfield role. if needed.
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