The former Black Cats skipper has until the end of the season to convince the board that he should be appointed on a permanent basis but, with relegation inevitable, he faces a gigantic task.
Wigan grabbed an eighth minute lead through Henri Camara with virtually their only goalscoring attempt of a match that Sunderland had ample opportunity to give the new manager hope of a winning start.
But the old failings of a lack of punch and a cutting edge in front of goal were all too apparent as Ball prowled the touchline in the hope of turning the tide for the frustrated home fans.
The new manager refused to make sweeping changes, the only change in personnel to the side beaten by Manchester City last Sunday was the return of Steve Caldwell from suspension in central defence at the expense of skipper Gary Breen.
Caldwell also took over the captaincy from Breen while Wigan, without a win in their last five matches, were unchanged as goalkeeper Mike Pollitt was again ruled out with the hamstring injury sustained in the Carling Cup final defeat by Manchester United.
Wigan took just eight minutes to spell out to Ball the harsh realities of management by grabbing the lead. A poor headed clearance by Nyron Nosworthy was latched on to by Camara who lashed a drive from the angle of the penalty across Kelvin Davis and just inside the upright.
Julio Arca spurned a half-chance when failing to get any power behind his shot but with chants of "sack the board'' and "Murray out'' (chairman Bob Murray) ringing loud and clear, the players responded in the best possible fashion.
Only the brilliance of John Filan kept the Black Cats at bay, the goalkeeper pulling off a great save from Stephen Elliott, turning a shot on the turn over the bar one-handed and then denying Rory Delap on his home debut by blocking with his outstretched legs.
Kevin Kyle had the ball in the net in the 29th minute only to be ruled offside and then Gary Teale cleared off the line from Dean Whitehead with Arca waiting to apply the finishing touch.
Filan saved his best until first-half stoppage time, somehow keeping out a blockbuster from Kyle after Grant Leadbitter's effort had been blocked.
Wigan relied totally on defence to protect their lead but, two minutes into added time, Davis produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Lee McCulloch.
Sunderland, who lost Arca on the stroke of half-time with a hamstring injury, failed to keep the momentum going in the second half with neither side creating any chances until the latter stages.
Filan produced another stunning save from Whitehead in the last minute but substitute Jonathan Stead, under pressure from Pascal Chimbonda, failed to prod the rebound home from only a couple of yards out.
Wigan's smash-and-grab tactics paid dividends, but with only four games left at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland are in danger of going the whole season without a home victory.