Latics' youth team paid a heavy price for their 4-1 win against Grimsby Town as they lost a further five players through injury in their pre-season friendly at Chapel Road.

Tony Philliskirk only had 13 players in his matchday squad through injury and would have finished with eight youngsters had Alex Parkes not hobbled back on for the last 20 minutes.

Latics also lost David Mellor, who left the ground on crutches; Jack Laird who was taken to hospital for x-rays after it was feared he had broken ribs; Connor Hughes and Carl Winchester.

Latics took an early lead when Matty A Carr's great pass released Kyle Riley who scored with a great finish.

They doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time when Hughes made a terrific run down the left before cutting in and bending a superb shot into the far corner.

Substitute Andrew Crompton (pictured) hammered a 20-yard free kick through the defensive wall for the third goal and also scored the fourth from the penalty spot after Hughes was fouled.

Grimsby scored a consolation goal with almost the last kick of the match.

Latics are so short of players that they have had to cancel tomorrow's youth-team friendly against Blackburn Rovers.