Paul Dickov's message to his Latics players was to take a long, hard look at themselves in the wake of their Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat at home to League Two side Shrewsbury Town.

There were no complaints or moans from the Latics manager who admitted his side, still unbeaten in npower League One, was second best.

Dickov said: "We were brought back to earth with a bump and were beaten by the better team.

"I thought we were outfought and outplayed and all credit to Shrewsbury who came here and did very well.

"We won't get too downbeat about it just as we won't get carried away by our good start, We won't get too negative about this defeat."

Dickov says the players know they have not played well, but the biggest disappointment was he felt his side had been "bullied" by their opponents.

He continued: "In terms of changes for Saturday, the main one I am looking for in a change of attitude.

"We have to look back at the games in which we have done reasonably well in and return to the basics of working hard and closing down from the front.

"We also need leaders on the pitch as we were quiet after Reuben (Hazell) went off injured."

Latics were without the injured Ritchie Jones and unwell Jason Jarrett while Warren Feeney was away on international duty and Ourmare Tounkara only on the bench.

Dickov still had eight of the starting line up which played on Saturday, exactly the same number Shrewsbury had from their team which won 4-0 at Stockport on Saturday.

There was a warning sign for Latics as early as the third minute when Matt Harrold headed against the crossbar.

Latics had their moments in the goalless opening period, notably two decent attempts at goal from Deane Smalley and a free kick from Dale Stephens which was well saved by keeper Chris Neal.

The opening period ended on a dampener, however, when Hazell limped off with a thigh strain as he was replaced by 18-year-old Rod McDonald who was making his debut.

The second half saw Latics lacking ideas to break down the Shrews defence as they were restricted to long-range efforts from Djeny Bembo, Paul Black and substitute Tounkara.

Dickov had made a double substitution midway through the second period taking off Chris Taylor and Smalley replacing them with Tounkara and Rodrigue Dikaba who was also making his debut.

Shrewsbury were denied for a second time by the woodwork after 74 minutes when keeper Dean Brilll did well to turn a header from Shane Cansdell-Sherriff on to the upright, another warning.

That was not heeded and the visitors made the all-important breakthrough with seven minutes left when wide midfield man Steve Leslie drove home a low shot from outside the penalty area.

Latics only had one clear-cut chance to equalise at the death when a free kick by Stephens from 25 yards whistled just wide of the upright as their dream of a Wembley appearance disappeared for another year.

Latics (4-4-2): Brill; Lee, Hazell (McDonald 45), M'voto, Black; Smalley (Dikaba 64), Stephens, Furman, Taylor; Kelly (Tounkara 64), Bembo. Subs (not used): Ollerenshaw, Millar.

Shrewsbury (4-4-2): C Neal; Raven, Sharps, Cansdell-Sherriff, Sadler; Leslie, McAllister (Disley 46), McIntyre, L Neal; Harrold (Bright 56), Robinson (van den Broek 76). Subs (not used): Duyan, Hooman.

Referee: Mr G J Sutton.

Attendance: 2,703 (265 visitors).