Ronnie's winning return
Ronnie Moore made a winning return to Boundary Park as Latics lost 1-0 at home to npower League One leaders Tranmere Rovers.
Adam McGurk's goal early in the second half rounded off a miserable week for Latics following back-to-back home defeats.
Tranmere, meanwhile, strengthened their position at the top of the table following a sixth away league victory of the campaign.
Adam McGurk's goal early in the second half rounded off a miserable week for Latics following back-to-back home defeats.
Tranmere, meanwhile, strengthened their position at the top of the table following a sixth away league victory of the campaign.
Latics made an awful start to the second half.
McGurk's superb free kick floated over the defensive wall and clipped the top of the crossbar with keeper Dean Bouzanis beaten.
Latics then had James Wesolowski (pictured) booked, his fifth caution of the season as he, too, joins Dean Furman on the sidelines next weekend.
Tranmere took the lead in the 54th minute when Jake Jervis cross from the left and McGurk, lurking at the far post, steered an angled shot low to the right of Bouzanis for his first goal of the season.
Manager Paul Dickov's immediate response was to take off Wesolowski and replace him with Matt Smith as Jose Baxter dropped back into midfield.
And there was a second change with 17 minutes left when Youssouf M'Changama repalced Cliff Byrne as Latics went three at the break in pursuit of an equaliser.
Chris Sutherland was introduced with seven minutes left in place of Lee Croft, Latics' third and final change.
Latics had plenty of possession late on, but could not find a route to goal, though Furman had a shot deflected not far wide for a corner.
Then deep into injury time a long-range drive from M'Changama forced a brilliant save from Owain Fon-Williams who acrobatically turned the effort over the crossbar.
Full-time: Latics 0, Tranmere Rovers 1.