Latics hit by Baxendale blow
Latics found themselves 1-0 down to a James Baxendale goal at half time of their Sky Bet League 1 match against Walsall at Boundary Park.
David Mellor's early booking was the only noteworthy incident in the opening quarter of an hour.
David Mellor's early booking was the only noteworthy incident in the opening quarter of an hour.
Latics' first chance came in the 18th minute when Jonathan Grounds's shot was parried low down by keeper Richard O'Donnell.
The rebound fell invitingly to Cristian Montano whose goalbound shot was blocked with Latics claiming a penalty for handball.
That sparked Latics to life and James Tarkowski then saw a header come to rest on the roof of the net from a Jose Baxter free kick.
However, it was Walsall who snatched a 25th minute lead.
Latics' defence failed to clean an Adam Chambers cross from the right and Baxendale fired home from 10 yards low to the left of keeper Mark Oxley.
Latics were forced to make a substitution in the 36th minute when the injured Mellor (pictured) was replaced by Cliff Byrne.
Adam Rooney and James Dayton left fly from distance, but both efforts were well over then Rooney's header was easily saved by Richard O'Donnell.
Half-time: Latics 0, Walsall 1.