Etherington was at the centre of much of Stoke's attacking threat, providing the corner for RobertHuth to head the visitors ahead and creating numerous other chances before being substituted.
Apart from Mido's miss, Cole also had an opportunity to score but was unable to get enough control of the loose ball to test Sorensen after being put free following an error from RobertHuth.
Referee Mark Halsey then presented the home side with another chance to get the third when he adjudged that RobertHuth had felled McSheffrey, who duly sent Mark Schwarzer the wrong way from the spot.
But Stoke improved as the half wore on and went close when Robert Huth's free kick found its way through to Ryan Shawcross and the centre-half's shot on the turn was blocked by two Wigan defenders.