At least one England left-back is entirely predictable. Whatever trouble the impulsive Ashley Cole's tweeting lands him in, Leighton Baines has forged an altogether different reputation. He has become a byword for quiet consistency and there are few more reliable players from 12 yards. A penalty that was dispatched emphatically past Ali al-Habsi maintained his 100% record from the spot in the Premier League, cost his former club Wigan two points and provided Everton with a reward for their spirited comeback.

"His penalty was fantastic and his performance was as good as anything," said David Moyes, rarely one to indulge in hyperbole. The Everton manager was more worried by the vagaries of the officiating. If Wigan were left to rue the reunion with Baines, one of their finer servants, a different sort of Friend that annoyed Everton: referee Kevin Friend.

"We have had a really rough day with decisions," Moyes said. "What we got, we earned." Even the eventual award of the penalty did not soothe him. "It was a double penalty kick," he said, referring to two challenges in a matter of seconds. "It was a foul on Victor Anichebe and a foul on Kevin Mirallas."

His grievances spanned the game from first to last; so, too, did the action, with Seamus Coleman contriving to deflect Shaun Maloney's 89th-minute shot over and deny Wigan a winner. Moyes was more concerned about another incident involving his fellow Scot. Maloney crossed for Arouna Koné to head Wigan into the lead. "He is half a yard offside and the linesman is nowhere near in line," complained the Everton manager.

Nevertheless, Koné was a common denominator in Everton's problems. John Heitinga was sufficiently traumatised by the Ivorian's sheer speed that he was replaced at half-time after Koné had scored one and made another. When Gary Caldwell lofted a pass into space on the Wigan right, Koné accelerated past Heitinga and then waited for his team-mates to catch up before providing a cross. Franco Di Santo then lifted his shot into the roof of the net. "It is not easy to score against Everton," Roberto Martínez said. "We scored two from open play. They were great pieces of football."

The Spaniard's delight with his front three – "a joy to watch", the Wigan manager said – was tempered by his disappointment at the defending. "We need to defend a bit better," he said. "The first goal is too soft." Both timing and manner of it left something to be desired for Wigan. Seventy-two seconds after going behind, Everton were level. Steven Pienaar met Marouane Fellaini's pass with a cross to the far post and Nikica Jelavic headed in.

After Di Santo restored Wigan's advantage, Everton responded. "We showed great character," Moyes said. His side also illustrated their ability, fashioning a series of chances. Many involved the left-sided pair of Baines and Pienaar and the Englishman prodded a shot against the post after exchanging passes with the South African.

The revival also owed something to Moyes's reshuffle. Mirallas was moved from the right flank into a striking role in the second half and had a flurry of shots. Leon Osman, who hails from nearby Billinge, twice came close to an equaliser before one with still stronger Wigan connections, in Baines, delivered it. The penalty taker par excellence has added goals to his game since leaving the DW Stadium in 2007; having only struck four times in 162 games for Athletic, he has now managed three goals against them. "We thoroughly deserved the draw," an irritated Moyes said.