Latics more than matched title-chasing Leeds in a goalless opening half at snowy Elland Road.

They were by no means second best as second-placed Leeds looked nervous after winning only one of their previous eight matches.

And with the crowd becoming increasingly restless, Latics grew in confidence and were only occasionally troubled in the first 45 minutes in which Sean Gregan and Reuben Hazell were rock solid in the centre of defence.

Jermaine Beckford came close to scoring his 25th goal of the season in the seventh minute shooting narrowly wide at the near post from a right-wing cross from Robert Snodgrass.

Not long after Latics had their first strike at goal, a long-range effort from Pawel Abbott which was a couple of yards off target.

Leeds' Shane Lowry and Dean Furman, of Latics, were both booked in quick succession in a typically robust Roses clash in which neither team took any prisoners. Chris Taylor was also cautioned as referee Paul Taylor deemed he dived trying to win a free kick and then Deane Smalley had his name taken for a foul on Lowry, the fourth booking in 12 minutes.

Latics had a let-off midway through the half when keeper Dean Brill fumbled a long-range shot from Snodgrass, but Beckford was unable to seize on the rebound.

Snodgrass then fired a drive from 25 yards just wide while Beckford was denied by an excellent block by Brill, but they were only rare moments of worry for the Latics defence.

Half-time: Leeds 0, Latics 0.