Latics eased their relegation worries in Coca-Cola League One with a well deserved home victory against Leyton Orient.

Goals from Deane Smalley and Dale Stephens earned Latics their first double of the season as they continue to inch their way towards safety.

Latics, who were 1-0 ahead at the break, doubled their advantage less than four minutes after the restart through Stephens' first goal for the club.

Chris Taylor made a fine attacking burst before releasing Stephens with an inch-perfect pass and the midfield man found the net with a spectacular strike.

Latics were dealt a blow just short of the hour when loan-signing Daniel Nardiello appeared to be seriously hurt stretching for the ball close to the dead-ball line. There was the worrying sight of him being taken from the ground on a stretcher as he was replaced by Joe Colbeck as Smalley switched inside to partner Abbott.

Smalley was desperately unlucky not to extend Latics' lead even further as he had two other goal attempts brilliantly saved by Jones, the first an angled header and the second a low drive which the keeper saved superbly low down.

Full-time: Latics 2, Leyton Orient 0.