After Nick Powell’s early strike, Matty Cash drew The Reds equal in the first half, but Will Grigg’s penalty on the half-hour mark restored their lead.
Lewis Grabban’s injury-time penalty was saved, but Soudani was on hand to convert the rebound and keep The Reds unblemished this season.
Forest got off to a shaky start, with Tobias Figueiredo’s wayward back ball resulting in a corner for Wigan within the opening two minutes. Costel Pantilimon attempted to claim the cross but was unable to do so, allowing Powell to nod into an empty net and give the home side a perfect start.
On seven minutes, Gavin Massey snuck in behind Ben Osborn and hammered a ball into the near post for The Latics. Will Grigg arrived to attempt a goal, but Pantilimon was equal to it, pushing it away.
After the home side applied early pressure, Forest replied strongly and were level on 10 minutes thanks to Cash’s second goal in as many games. Joao Carvalho took advantage of a midfield error to pick up the ball and drive towards goal. He teed up Cash on the right, controlled the ball, and shot low into the far corner, giving Christian Walton no chance.
But the home side remained dangerous, with Michael Jacobs’ effort deflecting into the side netting and Grigg putting an effort well wide from six yards out, and they retook the lead from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark.
A dangerous ball across the face of goal was set up for Grigg to tap in until he was brought down by Ben Osborn, who recovered to send Pantilimon the wrong way and restore their lead.
Forest were fortunate to go into the interval with a one-goal deficit as captain Sam Morsy’s long-range strike crashed against the base of the post, with Powell firing the rebound wide of the open goal.
Cash worked his way into the penalty area after the hour mark but was denied by a fine block from a Wigan defender, and then a quick break minutes later saw Cash feed Soudani down the left, but his low shot was straight at Walton.
The excellent Matty Cash produced a great run as the game headed into injury time, beating Antonee Robinson on the wing and cutting inside the area where he was hauled down by Sam Morsy for a penalty.
Lewis Grabban stepped up and saw his effort well saved by Walton, but Soudani was quickest to react and lash the ball home from close range.
Both teams had to settle for a point because the game was fiercely contested, helping Forest maintain their perfect start to the season.
Pantilimon, Darikwa, Figueiredo, Fox (c), Osborn, Colback, Guedioura (Watson 45′), Cash, Carvalho (Soudani 54′), Lolley (J. Robinson 65′), and Grabban are all players in the forest.
Substitutes not used: Dias, Steele, Murphy, Dawson
Goals: 10′ Cash, 90′ Soudani
Bookings: 29′ Osborn, 69′ Colback, 87′ Fox, and 88′ Watson
Wigan: Morsy (c), Walton, James, Dunkley, Kipre, A. Robinson, Massey (Byrne 89′), Powell (Connolly 75′), and Grigg (Vaughan 75′).
Jones, Windass, Bruce, and McManaman were not substitutes.
