Martinez described the Honduras left-back's strike - from about 60 yards - as "a special moment" but was disappointed it did not cap a winning performance at the Britannia Stadium.

Centre-back Emmerson Boyce had put the visitors ahead with a close-range 15th-minute header but Tuncay Sanli's first goal since his £5million summer move from Middlesbrough levelled things up before the break.

Figueroa's quick thinking caught out Thomas Sorensen in the 72nd minute but Ryan Shawcross' header two minutes later produced the equaliser.

There was still time for some late drama as Sorensen saved Hugo Rodallega's 89th-minute penalty.

But all the talk after the match was of Figueroa's goal, only his second for Wigan - the other a complete contrast against Tottenham last January from about two yards.

"I think the technicality of it doesn't surprise me at all because I know how Maynor strikes the ball every day in training," said Martinez.

"But the football arrogance to make that decision from a free-kick to score is special.

"From open play you are allowed to be that brave but from a free-kick you have to be a little bit arrogant because you look a fool in front of live television if you don't hit the target.

"I think it was a special moment, one of those moments when it is well worth being involved in football.

"I'm sure we will see that goal time after time and for a goalkeeper the standard of Sorensen to be beaten from that distance it has to be something special.

"It is just a shame that goal was not part of a winning scoreline."

Martinez said Boyce, who received a kick to the head in scoring and did not take to the pitch for the second half despite leaving the dressing room with the intention of playing, had no knowledge of his goal.

"He was on his way out in the tunnel and felt dizzy and his legs were a little bit wobbly so we were concerned at the moment but he is okay now and will be available for Liverpool on Wednesday," said the Latics boss.

"We had to tell him he had scored because he forgot about that. I don't think he was 100% himself in the second half but he kept himself focused.

"He has a nasty cut on his head and that affected him a little bit."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis had both praise and criticism for goalkeeper Sorensen, who made a great save from Rodallega's header but could only palm the ball in the air to allow Boyce to score.

The Denmark goalkeeper redeemed himself in his manager's eyes, however, with his third successive penalty save.

"Thomas will get all the plaudits for saving the penalty again but, being as good as he is, should have pushed that first one over the bar and not pushed it out," said Pulis.

"I don't take anything away from the lad (Figueroa) because that was a great strike for the second goal.

"Thomas made amends for us with that penalty save. It is five out of six (penalty saves) now.

"Fingers crossed he keeps it going for us."