Two more Matt finishes
Matt Smith was Latics' hero for the second time in 72 hours.The striker (pictured), who scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser for the first team at Sheffield United on Saturday, bagged two more today for the reserves in a 3-2 win against Walsall in the Central League.
Smith, who showed deft footwork on Saturday, used all his 6ft 6in frame to score two towering headers as Latics edged a competitive clash at Latics' Chapel Road training ground.
Latics were slow out of the block as overlapping right back Ben George fired the Saddlers ahead in the fourth minute.
Smith, who had been unable to find the target with a header from a Jack Truelove cross, made no mistake with his 36th minute equaliser.
Latics' two Connor's - Hughes and Brown - combined superbly with the latter's cross headed home at the far post by Smith.
Smith headed over for a second time as he could easily have netted a first half hat trick.
Daniel Taylor's industry and endeavour set up Youssouf M'Changama who fired Latics ahead for the first time from his cut back two minutes before the break.
Smith made it 3-1 midway through the second period with another terrific header, again with Brown the provider.
If Latics thought they were home and dry, they were mistaken.
Kieron Morris reduced the deficit following a burst from midfield and a spectacular shot which ensured a tense finish.
Indeed, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, substitute Jake Heath came within a whisker of making it 3-3 as his shot was deflected narrowly wide for a corner as Latics lived dangerously in those latter stages.