The Latics looked to be heading for three more points in their quest to secure a spot in next season's Premiership when Lee McCulloch gave them the lead immediately after the restart but Gary Megson's side refused to buckle and Gareth Taylor equalised with just five minutes left.
Forest have now lost just one of their last nine Championship games, and although they are still four points away from safety, they showed against Paul Jewell's side that they have the character to survive.
The visitors dominated possession and looked the more likely to score throughout the 90 minutes, but Forest hung on and in the end just about deserved their point.
Wigan edged the first half and were unlucky not to be ahead at the break. But straight from the restart former Cardiff City star Graham Kavanagh forced Forest keeper Paul Gerrard to make a smart save only for McCulloch to be in the right place to fire in the rebound.
Forest refused to give up though and Kris Commons, who missed a late penalty in the midweek goalless draw with Leeds United, went close with three long-range efforts.
It looked as though Wigan had done enough to win until Taylor headed home James Perch's cross to ensure the spoils were shared.