Latics found Coca-Cola League One's leading marksman Grant Holt a handful during a goalless opening half against leaders Norwich at Boundary Park.

Holt had four chances to add to his 24 goals for the season, but found his midas touch in front of goal elsuive as Latics defended stoutly, if not a little fortuitously at times.

Latics were fortunate not to fall behind in the 10th minute when striker Grant Holt headed home a right-wing cross from Anthony McNamee, but the top scorer had strayed offside.

Dale Stephens had Latics' first attempt at goal not long after, but his free kick from 30 yards was not far off target landing on the roof of the net with keeper Fraser Forster beaten.

There was another let off for the visitors when Reuben Hazell headed a Joe Jacobson centre back across the face of goal and Jason Price just failed to reach the ball at the far post after he looked set to score from no more than one-yard out.

Norwich came close to making a breakthrough just short of the half hour when Holt headed agonisingly wide from a Wes Houlahan cross. And moments later Holt glanced a further header wide, though this one was well off target.

It was rapidly becoming the Holt show as he had yet another chance, but this time pulled his shot wide from the left of the penalty area.