Latics fell at the first hurdle in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, just as they did in the League Cup against Carlisle.

A crowd of just 1,619 (161) saw Athletic dominate the first half, especially the opening twenty minutes, in which the visitors hardly touched the ball.

Alan Sheehan started for Athletic having joined on a month's loan from Leeds, but other new signing Joe Colbeck was unavailable.

Latics took the lead on 10 minutes thanks to an excellent run by Pawel Abbott.

His cross found Danny Whitaker unmarked at the edge of the area, he controlled the ball on his chest and lashed an unstoppable drive past Ian Dunbavin with his left foot.

On 14 minutes Kieran Lee played an exquisite ball over the top to Whitaker who beat the onrushing Dunbavin some 40 yards from goal, however Tom Lees was able to cover for his goalkeeper and prevent the shot on target.

With 5 minutes of the first half remaining Accrington created their best move of the game.

Michael Symes controlled and flicked on a high ball in and Robert Grant will feel he should have done better, as he wasted his opportunity.

It was another stark warning for Athletic, who despite remaining comfortable in possession, after the blitzkrieg like opening 20 minutes, were struggling to carve out clear cut chances.

However Whitaker almost doubled his account on 42 minutes.

A superb ball over the top from Furman found Alex Marrow overlapping and his ball in dropped kindly to Whitaker, with Abbott appealing for handball.

His shot looked destined for the top corner until Chris King headed it off the line.

Stanley replaced Luke Joyce with James Ryan at half time as they looked to counter Latics dominance and a short free kick to the substitute almost provided the ideal start for Stanley.

His right footed drive from 35 yards took a slight deflection and was well tipped over by the full stretch Dean Brill.

Reuben Hazell was booked on 58 minutes for a needless foul on half way. Latics went to sleep for the resulting ball wide and a John Mills cross appeared to be turned into his own net by Sean Gregan, under pressure from Grant.

7 minutes later a corner from the right by Mills wasn't picked up by Latics and Phil Edwards ran into the area unmarked and lashed a drive through the legs of Rowney on the post, to give Stanley the lead in a second half in which Latics had failed to impress.

Latics made their second change on 70 minutes, replacing Nick Blackman with Ryan Brooke.

The youngster almost had the perfect impact, Abbott finding Rowney; who's neat through ball allowed Brooke to shoot, Dunbavin tipping the ball wide for a corner.

With ten minutes remaining Latics could have been level. An excellent ball by Sheehan found Abbott unmarked, his neat knock down falling just half a yard too far ahead of the on rushing Whitaker.

With 81 minutes gone Stanley's James Ryan went down heavily on half way, and had to be stretchered from the field on oxygen, his leg heavily strapped and apparently bleeding.

Early reports after the game were optimistic however, suggesting the player may not have broken his leg as first feared.

Despite 7 minutes of added time, due to Ryan's injury, Latics failed to create a clear opening and will be disappointed with a second half performance which did no justice to the excellent work of the early stages.

Latics are next in action at home to Hartlepool on Friday, Kick Off 7:45pm.