Latics finished their npower League One campaign on a winning note against Carlisle on an afternoon of firsts at Boundary Park.

It was Latics' first win in nine games as they completed their league fixtures with a spirited performance against Carlisle who kicked off still with hopes of making the play offs. In the end they lost out to Stevenage.

James Tarkowski scored his first goal for Latics while Oumare Tounkara found the net for the first time since his return for a second loan spell with Latics.

And it was a Latics' line up with an eye very much on the future.

Tarkowski, Kirk Millar and Carl Winchester were all in the starting line up while Connor Hughes and David Mellor, also teenagers, made appearances as substitutes. First-year scholar Luke Simpson was also in the bench.

Manager Paul Dickov pointed out the talented youngsters are the future and the way forward for Latics.

He explained: "I cannot speak too highly of them and ideally would have like to have played them sooner.

"It was easy for them today as the pressure was completely off  - the pressure was on Carlisle to win the game - so they could express themselves.

"They are all talented boys, but what they need to do is to grow up and when you go out on to the pitch, regardless of age, you need to be a man.

"They have had a little taste and next season we are looking for them to kick off."

And looking ahead, Dickov views the future with optimism.

He continued: "If we can keep the team we played today and the squad it bodes well for the future.

"If we can make good-quality additions, it sets us in good stead for next season."

Latics' manager added the nucleus of the current team is good enough to be challenging further up the table.

Dickov was also delighted to finish the season with a long-awaited victory.

He said: "We were desperate to go out on a win because too often this season we have let the fans down.

"We wanted the players to express themselves and show the fans we are building for the future and we have a decent team.

"I have told the boys well done today, but it doesn't paper over the cracks. We know where we went wrong and want to put it right next season."

The Latics' team showed four changes from the side involved in last Saturday's goalless draw at Bury.

Kieran Lee was ruled out through illness and Robbie Simpson and Yousseff M'Changama through injury while Keanu Marsh-Brown didn't make the matchday 16.

Into the side came Tarkowski in the centre of defence - Reece Brown switched to right back - Filipe Morais on the wing, Carl Winchester in the centre of midfield while there was a recall for Shefki Kuqi up front.

The opening half was lively with Latics having the better of the openings.

Kuqi had a shot deflected into the side netting, Millar's lob landed on the roof of the net and Tarkowski's header struck the crossbar after he beat keeper Adam Collin to a Morais free kick.

The deadlock was broken in the 50th minute when Tarkowski scored his first goal in League football in his 27th appearance.

The centre-back, Latics' most potent attacking threat in the opening half, got on the end of a long throw from Brown as the ball looped over Collin.

Bradley Diallo almost doubled the lead but his cross-cum-shot was turned over by Collin as it almost eluded the keeper.

Carlisle, who had rarely threatened, equalised in the 69th minute when substitute Tom Taiwo headed home a Jon-Paul McGovern right-wing cross, despite the best efforts of Bouzanis to keep out the ball.

Latics regained the lead within three minutes through Tounkara who had only been on the field four minutes. He headed home a corner from Morais and he is pictured celebrating.

In the latter stages, Latics were unlucky not to triumph by a wider margin.

Tounkara burst through from deep only to shoot agonisingly wide and in stoppage time his cheeky back heel was narrowly off target.

Morais broke clean only for Collin to block bravely at his feet while the keeper also saved well from Hughes.

Latics (4-4-2): Bouzanis; Brown, Tarkowski, M'voto, Diallo; Millar (Hughes 73), Winchester, Furman, Morais; Bunn (Mellor 79), Kuqi (Tounkara 68). Subs (not used): L Simpson, Smith.

Carlisle (4-4-2): Collin; Simek, Livesey, Michalik, Robson; McGovern, Noble, Berrett, Welsh; Madden (Taiwo 60), Zoko. Subs (not used): Murphy, Thirlwell, Beck, Gillespie.

The goals: Tarkowski (50), Tounkara (72) for Latics. Taiwo (69) for Carlisle.

The bookings: Diallo (64) for Latics. Noble (57) for Carlisle.

Referee: Mr C Pawson.

Attendance: 5,152 (1,729 visitors).