Ten-man Latics gained a highly creditable goalless draw against Wigan Athletic in the North West Youth Alliance at Chapel Road.

Latics had to play the final half hour with 10 players after losing schoolboy Jack Laird with a serious wrist injury having made all three substitutions.

In fact Latics finished the match with three 15-years-old players on the pitch as well as Joe Cooper who was aged 14.

Wigan, by contrast, fielded mostly second-year trainees which made Latics' goalless draw an even more creditable result.

They may have even snatched victory as Andy Crompton had a free kick cleared off the line.

Tony Philliskirk, Latics' head of youth, was delighted with the way his side battled for a draw.

He said: "It was a good result bearing in mind we played with 10 players for the last 30 minutes.

"We did the ugly side well and defended as a team which has been our main failing this season. Keeper Anthony White did well controlling the penalty area.

"We also had one or two chances ourselves, notably Andy's free kick which was kicked off the line."