Joe Jacobson impressed at both ends of the field as Latics reserves established a 1-0 half-time lead in their totesport.com League match against Tranmere at Stalybridge.

The left-back, making only his second reserve-team appearance of the season due to injury, fired Latics ahead in the eighth minute.

Jacobson found the net with a sweetly-struck free kick from 25 yards which took a marked deflection off the defensive wall.

It was then the turn of Jacobson to shine defensively with a last-gasp challenge to deny Jack Mackreth who was clean through on goal.

Mackreth was the biggest threat to the Latics defence and one long-range shot from the midfield man was superbly tipped over the crossbar by keeper Josh Ollerenshaw.

Half time: Latics 1, Tranmere 0.