Latics behind at Brentford
Latics trailed to an Adam Forshaw goal following an evenly-contested opening first half to their npower League One match at Brentford.
The midfielder provided the one spark of inspiration, though Latics forced home keeper Simon Moore into making two fine saves.
The midfielder provided the one spark of inspiration, though Latics forced home keeper Simon Moore into making two fine saves.
Latics carved out the first clear-cut chance of the afternoon in the ninth minute.
Lee Croft's excellent pass released Matt Derbyshire on the left of the box, but his shot was well blocked by Moore.
Latics' keeper Dean Bouzanis was called into action for the first time after quarter of an hour, though it was an easy diving save by deny Moroccan striker Farid El Alagui.
Brentford made the breakthrough in the 17th minute following a poor clearance from Jean-Yves M'voto. They carved open Latics' defence with a neat passing move as Forshaw burst through the centre before slotting a shot low to the left of Bouzanis.
And they might have doubled their advantage on the half hour when Tony Craig had a free header from corner, but planted his effort well over the crossbar.
Clayton Donaldson also found himself completely free on the left of the box, but his lob was easily caught by Bouzanis.
Latics came close to an equaliser just before the break when a long-range drive from Cristian Montano brought a fine save from Moore.
When the resulting corner was cleared, Montano struck another fierce drive which Cliff Byrne, sliding in at the far post, just failed to connect in front of goal.
Half-time: Brentford 1, Latics 0
Lee Croft's excellent pass released Matt Derbyshire on the left of the box, but his shot was well blocked by Moore.
Latics' keeper Dean Bouzanis was called into action for the first time after quarter of an hour, though it was an easy diving save by deny Moroccan striker Farid El Alagui.
Brentford made the breakthrough in the 17th minute following a poor clearance from Jean-Yves M'voto. They carved open Latics' defence with a neat passing move as Forshaw burst through the centre before slotting a shot low to the left of Bouzanis.
And they might have doubled their advantage on the half hour when Tony Craig had a free header from corner, but planted his effort well over the crossbar.
Clayton Donaldson also found himself completely free on the left of the box, but his lob was easily caught by Bouzanis.
Latics came close to an equaliser just before the break when a long-range drive from Cristian Montano brought a fine save from Moore.
When the resulting corner was cleared, Montano struck another fierce drive which Cliff Byrne, sliding in at the far post, just failed to connect in front of goal.
Half-time: Brentford 1, Latics 0