Hull had led through a stunning Geovanni free-kick but N’Zogbia’s half-time entry proved inspired as he quickly struck twice and set up another for James McCarthy at the sparsely-populated DW Stadium.

Scott Sinclair then put the seal on an entertaining second half by wrapping up victory with a fine individual effort in the last minute.

The lively end to the game was in marked contrast to what had gone before the break.

The all-Premier League tie was not the reserves contest that had been billed in some quarters but, with the two managers making 13 changes between them, it was obvious their priorities lay elsewhere.

And with the two bottom-five sides engaged in a relegation fight, and possessing two worst two defences in the top flight, the contest had obviously been a hard sell.

Just 5,335 spectators bothered to turn up and that made for an eerie atmosphere and a lacklustre first half.

The quality was eventually provided by Geovanni but until then goalkeeper Mike Pollitt, Wigan’s one enforced change with Chris Kirkland ill, was untroubled.

Yet Hull actually enjoyed the better of the early possession with winger Richard Garcia linking well with recalled frontman Kamel Ghilas.

The visitors then created the first opening when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink found Peter Halmosi with a low cross but the Hungarian, with his back to goal, could not gain control.

Wigan responded as the lively Scott Sinclair, who scored against the Tigers in October, broke down the right and inadvertantly clipped the bar as his cross-cum-shot drifted towards goal.

Sinclair looked Wigan’s strongest threat and crossed for Hugo Rodallega to head wide before shooting over himself.

McCarthy then forced Boaz Myhill to save low down with a shot from outside the box as Wigan showed some industry.

Hull then had a good chance at the other end as Garcia found space on the right and Ghilas headed narrowly over from the Australian’s ball.

Ghilas provided Geovanni with a first shooting opportunity after being impeded 25 yards out but the Brazilian curled his effort well over.

Yet that proved a good sighter as the former Barcelona man did much better when Kamil Zayatte was felled after a strong run moments later.

The Guinea defender was clipped just outside the ’D’ by Titus Bramble and Geovanni made no mistake with a shot that bent into the top corner.

The half-time whistle was greeted by boos by the few home supporters but they soon had reason to cheer after manager Roberto Martinez introduced N’Zogbia.

It proved the perfect substitution and paid off within two minutes, although first Hull had a chance to double their lead as Vennegoor of Hesselink headed wide from a Garcia cross.

Wigan surged upfield in reply and Jason Scotland held the ball up well before finding N’Zogbia on the right.

The former Newcastle player showed great composure as he broke through the defence and then slipped a low shot past Myhill.

That gave Wigan renewed confidence and Maynor Figueroa and N’Zogbia both further tested Myhill with shots from inside the area.

The momentum was all with the home side and pressure paid off just after the hour as McCarthy was picked out on the edge of the box, took a touch and beat Myhill with the aid of deflection.

Wigan looked a different team and they claimed a third goal just two minutes later as N’Zogbia received the ball from a short corner and clipped in a fine shot from the left of the area.

Things almost got worse for Hull but Rodallega failed to make firm contact with a backheel in front of goal and Myhill saved Sinclair’s follow-up effort.

Scotland then broke free inside the area with five minutes remaining but shot into the side-netting. But Wigan were not to be denied a fourth and Sinclair completed their comeback in the final minute as he broke into the box and blasted home.