Deane Smalley justified his recall as he gave Latics the lead in their important home Coca-Cola League One fixture against Leyton Orient.

The return of Jason Price to Millwall following a loan spell opened the door for Smalley to reclaim his place on the right wing.

And Smalley broke the deadlock after a nervous opening 20 minutes from Latics'  first meaningful chance of the match.

Smalley was released by a delightful diagonal pass from Pawel Abbott and he steered a low shot past advancing keeper Jamie Jones from the right of the box.

The goal lifted Latics whose players clearly gained in confidence having taken the lead and Pawel Abbott came within a whisker of doubling their advantage with a drive from outside the box which Jones, diving full length to his right, did well to turn round the post.

Daniel Nardiello then cut in from the left and was unlucky to not to find the net with a shot which flashed into the side netting.

Orient's main threat came from powerful striker Jonathan Tehoue who headed narrowly wide and then saw a drive from 25 yards take a deflection and loop narrowly off target, but they rarely posed any danger to keeper Dean Brill.

Half time: Latics 1, Leyton Orient 0.