Latics draw in fiesty friendly
Latics drew 1-1 at Accrington Stanley in a fiesty pre-season match.
At times it was anything but friendly in what was a fiercely competitive game.
Both goals came in the opening half as Luke Clarke gave the home side the lead while Jose Baxter equalised late in the half.
Both goals came in the opening half as Luke Clarke gave the home side the lead while Jose Baxter equalised late in the half.
Latics made one change at the break as Cliff Byrne came on for Connor Brown.
Accrington made the brighter start as Marcus Carver poked a shot narrowly wide and Will Hatfield, put clean through, was denied by keeper Mark Oxley.
Latics had a chance to take the lead, but Adam Rooney glanced a header just wide from Baxter's right-wing cross.
There was a spate of further changes midway through the half when Anton Rodgers, James Dayton, Charlie MacDonald and Jonson Clarke-Harris (pictured) were introduced for James Wesolowski, Sidney Schmeltz, Rooney and Cristian Montano.
Accrington had the chance to regain the lead when a drive from left-back Laurence Wilson forced an excellent diving save from Oxley low to his left.
Accrington made the brighter start as Marcus Carver poked a shot narrowly wide and Will Hatfield, put clean through, was denied by keeper Mark Oxley.
Latics had a chance to take the lead, but Adam Rooney glanced a header just wide from Baxter's right-wing cross.
There was a spate of further changes midway through the half when Anton Rodgers, James Dayton, Charlie MacDonald and Jonson Clarke-Harris (pictured) were introduced for James Wesolowski, Sidney Schmeltz, Rooney and Cristian Montano.
Accrington had the chance to regain the lead when a drive from left-back Laurence Wilson forced an excellent diving save from Oxley low to his left.
Peter Murphy then header narrowly wide before a fierce drive from Clarke-Harris forced a good save from Ian Dunbavin as both sides had chances to move ahead.
A golden chance fell to James Gray, but the Accrington substitute fired narrowly over as both sides searched for a winner in the latter stages.
Gray had another gilt-edged chance, but his shot from point-blank range was well saved by Oxley.
Latics had a great chance to win the game in the 88th minute when David Mellor's cross caused mayhem in the home defence as MacDonald, Clarke-Harris and Jonathan Grounds all had shots blocked.
Full-time: Accrington Stanley 1, Latics 1.
Latics had a great chance to win the game in the 88th minute when David Mellor's cross caused mayhem in the home defence as MacDonald, Clarke-Harris and Jonathan Grounds all had shots blocked.
Full-time: Accrington Stanley 1, Latics 1.