Paul Dickov declared himself satisfied with Latics' display as they extended their unbeaten start to five league matches against Bristol Rovers at Boundary Park.

The Latics manager could not fault the effort and commitment of his players and the number of chances they created was far higher than in recent matches.

Dickov said: "I was disappointed with the result, but not the performance and overall I thought we ought to have won.

"I thought we were excellent going forward for the whole game, though we defended very poorly for the first 20 minutes.

"We sorted that out at half time and had a really good go in the second when we passed the ball well and have some good chances.

"I would liked to have scored more goals, but I could not fault the performance and the lads gave me everything.

"I was far more pleased today than the draw against Yeovil as we were more of a threat, passed the ball better."

Yet it was far from one sided as the Pirates were a threat throughout as Latics lived dangerously at times defensively as they found striker Will Hoskins a threat throughout.

And in view of the number of openings both sides carved out in an entertaining game, the major surprise was that the match only yielded two goals.

Latics kicked off without the injured Reuben Hazell and Ritchie Jones while Warren Feeney was on international duty.

Jason Jarrett, back after a virus, was recalled to the centre of defence, Rodrigue Dikaba was handed a first start on the right of midfield and there was also a full league debut for striker Dean Kelly.

Latics, who had won only two of their last 10 matches against Rovers losing eight times, must have thought the bogey was about to strike again when Hoskins put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute.

Jean Yves M'voto's header back to Dean Brill failed to find its target as Hoskins won the chase with Jarrett to lob the Latics keeper.

In fact it was not the first anxious moment defensively in the opening half as Latics looked decidedly shaky at the back.

Latics eventually found a flow to their game around the half-hour mark when Dale Stephens had three chances in quick succession.

Keeper Mike Green pulled off a fine stop to keep out a free kick while two long-range efforts weren't far off target.

Latics were eventually rewarded for their efforts on the stroke of half time when Chris Taylor opened his account for the season.

Dean Kelly was fouled outside the penalty area and Stephens, instead of taking fire, suddenly squared the ball to Taylor who swept home a low shot from 22 yards.

Then in stoppage time, Latics ought to have gone ahead when Oumare Tounkara had a free header from inside the six-yard b ox but lacked accuracy as it flew wide.

Latics started the second half brightly as M'voto and Tounkara both headed narrowly wide when, if there was any criticism, they ought to have hit the target as both were from close range. Dean Furman then had a goalbound drive deflected narrowly wide as it looked as though they would surely soon make another breakthrough.

The pendulum swung Rovers' way when they brought on big, bruising striker John Akinde and switched from 4-4-2 to a more adventurous 4-3-3.

Hoskins proved wide right and for a spell he was almost unplayable as he had three glorious chances in as many minutes.

Twice efforts were superbly beaten out by Brill and then on the third occasion he shot against the underside of the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

Latics weathered the storm and came back fighting as Furman and substitute Joe Jacobson had long-range efforts which each cleared the crossbar.

Rovers were reduced to 10 men after 85 minutes when centre-back Danny Coles was sent off for a second booking.

Manager Paul Dickov brought himself on for the last four minutes of normal time and additional eight of added to try and conjure a winner.

And in the extra time, both teams could have snatched victory.

Akinde had a shot deflected off M'voto which looked set to loop in until Brill acrobatically managed to turn it over.

Then right at the death, Stephens struck the top of the crossbar with a free kick as Latics almost finished with maximum points.

Latics (4-4-2): Brill: Lee, Jarrett, M'voto, Black; Dikaba (Jacobson 75), Stephens, Furman, Taylor; Kelly (Dickov 86), Tounkara. Subs (not used): Gerrard, Gregan, Holdsworth, Bembo, Smalley.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Green; Regan, Coles, Anthony, Sawyer; Blizzard (Akinde 60), Lines, Campbell, Hughes; Hoskins, Kuffour (Tunnicliffe 87). Subs (not used): Reece, Clough, Richards, Pell, Swallow.

Referee: Mr G Eltringham.

Attendance: 4,039 (219 visitors).