Bleak Christmas for Latics
Latics' disappointing run continued as they were beaten at home by Crewe Alexandra.
It was Latics' fourth successive loss in npower League One.
Second-half goals from Mathias Pogba and Mark Ellis inflicted more misery on Latics whose only cheer was a first goal for the club from teenage striker Daniel Taylor.
It was Latics' fourth successive loss in npower League One.
Second-half goals from Mathias Pogba and Mark Ellis inflicted more misery on Latics whose only cheer was a first goal for the club from teenage striker Daniel Taylor.
Matt Smith, who had three clear-cut chances in the goalless opening half, had a fourth soon after the restart.
Jose Baxter's headed flick released Smith who burst into the box only to shoot well over the crossbar.
Baxter then forced a diving save from keeper Steve Phillips low to his left to turn his goalbound shot from outside the box around the post for a corner.
It was Crewe, however, who took the lead just after the hour mark through Pogba.
The striker's 25-yard shot took a wicked deflection off Cliff Byrne to elude keeper Dean Bouzanis' despairing dive low to his right.
Latics immediately made their first substitution when Cristian Montano replaced Youssouf M'Changama in a straig swop on the left wing.
That was quickly followed by Taylor (pictured) taking over from right-back Connor Borwn as Latics went three at the back.
Smith found the net with a terrific header only for the goal to be ruled out for a shove.
Lee Croft then whipped in a great cross from the right which flew over the crossbar off the shoulder of Taylor.
Baxter supplied a great cross from the left, but Smith headed over the crossbar.
Latics made their third and final substitution with 11 minutes left when Croft made way for Kirk Millar.
The equaliser came in the 81st minute when Taylor scored his first goal for the club.
A long ball was played over the Crewe defence which Ellis completely miskicked leaving Taylor through on goal and he found the far corner from the right side of the box.
Latics' joy was short lived as Crewe regained the lead three minutes later.
Substitute Byron Moore whipped over a looping cross from the left byline and Ellis headed into the roof of the net at the far post from no more than two yards.
Montano had a chance to equalise in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but lashed his left-foot shot narrowly wide.
Full-time: Latics 1, Crewe Alexandra 2.
Jose Baxter's headed flick released Smith who burst into the box only to shoot well over the crossbar.
Baxter then forced a diving save from keeper Steve Phillips low to his left to turn his goalbound shot from outside the box around the post for a corner.
It was Crewe, however, who took the lead just after the hour mark through Pogba.
The striker's 25-yard shot took a wicked deflection off Cliff Byrne to elude keeper Dean Bouzanis' despairing dive low to his right.
Latics immediately made their first substitution when Cristian Montano replaced Youssouf M'Changama in a straig swop on the left wing.
That was quickly followed by Taylor (pictured) taking over from right-back Connor Borwn as Latics went three at the back.
Smith found the net with a terrific header only for the goal to be ruled out for a shove.
Lee Croft then whipped in a great cross from the right which flew over the crossbar off the shoulder of Taylor.
Baxter supplied a great cross from the left, but Smith headed over the crossbar.
Latics made their third and final substitution with 11 minutes left when Croft made way for Kirk Millar.
The equaliser came in the 81st minute when Taylor scored his first goal for the club.
A long ball was played over the Crewe defence which Ellis completely miskicked leaving Taylor through on goal and he found the far corner from the right side of the box.
Latics' joy was short lived as Crewe regained the lead three minutes later.
Substitute Byron Moore whipped over a looping cross from the left byline and Ellis headed into the roof of the net at the far post from no more than two yards.
Montano had a chance to equalise in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but lashed his left-foot shot narrowly wide.
Full-time: Latics 1, Crewe Alexandra 2.