Goalless at Griffin Park
Latics more than matched high-flying Brentford in a goalless opening half of their Sky Bet League 1 match at Griffin Park.
It was a dour first period, however, and the game was crying out for a goal to spark it to life.
It was a dour first period, however, and the game was crying out for a goal to spark it to life.
The start was fast and frenetic as both sides struggled to impose their authority on the game.
Latics' keeper Mark Oxley was twice called into action in the opening quarter of an hour, but made relatively straightforward saves to deny Harley Dean and Will Grigg.
Latics made their first change of the afternoon in the 27th minute when David Mellor made way for Carl Winchester in what appeared a tactical switch.
And Winchester wasted a great opportunity to give Latics the lead moments after making his entrance.
Winchester led a four-versus-one break but decided to go it alone rather than passing to one of the three team mates alongside him only to see his shot blocked.
Brentford had a chance when Adam Forshaw crossed from the left and Grigg fired narrowly wide.
Latics' keeper Mark Oxley was twice called into action in the opening quarter of an hour, but made relatively straightforward saves to deny Harley Dean and Will Grigg.
Latics made their first change of the afternoon in the 27th minute when David Mellor made way for Carl Winchester in what appeared a tactical switch.
And Winchester wasted a great opportunity to give Latics the lead moments after making his entrance.
Winchester led a four-versus-one break but decided to go it alone rather than passing to one of the three team mates alongside him only to see his shot blocked.
Brentford had a chance when Adam Forshaw crossed from the left and Grigg fired narrowly wide.
Michael Petrasso could have given Latics the lead shortly before half but shot narrowly wide of the far post from the left of the box.
And on the stroke of half time Danny Philliskirk fired just off target when well placed.
Half-time: Brentford 0, Latics 0.
And on the stroke of half time Danny Philliskirk fired just off target when well placed.
Half-time: Brentford 0, Latics 0.