Goal for Barnard on home debut
Latics established a 2-1 lead following a gutsy first-half display against Milton Keynes Dons in npower league One at Boundary Park.
Lee Barnard marked his home debut with a goal to give Latics the lead midway through the opening period.
Daniel Powell equalised for Dons, but Latics regained the lead shortly before the break through a superb header from Jean-Yves M'voto.
Lee Barnard marked his home debut with a goal to give Latics the lead midway through the opening period.
Daniel Powell equalised for Dons, but Latics regained the lead shortly before the break through a superb header from Jean-Yves M'voto.
It took almost 13 minutes for either side to create a chance with the visitors having the first attempt at goal.
Shaun Williams' free kick was well struck but easily caught by keeper Dean Bouzanis.
Latics' first opening fell to Jordan Obita whose ambitious overhead kick from the edge of the box flew narrowly wide.
The breakthrough came midway through the half when Barnard, who also scored on his Latics' debut at Walsall, opened the scoring.
Dean Lewington only cleared Lee Croft's low cross to Barnard who fired an angled shot from six yards low into the far corner of the net.
Latics' confidence soared and moments late Obita fired in a wicked shot from the left which forced a diving save from keeper David Martin.
The MK Dons stopper then turned a shot from Jose Baxter round the post for a corner after the former Evertonian had a great inter-change of passes with Barnard.
The visitors equalised in the 39th minute after a terrific solo effort from Powell.
He raced away on the right on to a pass from Jon Otstemobor and from the right of the box fired a terrific shot high into the far corner of the net.
Latics regained the shortly before half time as M'voto found the net with a powerful header from Baxter's free kick which arrowed into the roof of the net.
Half time: Latics 2, MK Dons 1.
Shaun Williams' free kick was well struck but easily caught by keeper Dean Bouzanis.
Latics' first opening fell to Jordan Obita whose ambitious overhead kick from the edge of the box flew narrowly wide.
The breakthrough came midway through the half when Barnard, who also scored on his Latics' debut at Walsall, opened the scoring.
Dean Lewington only cleared Lee Croft's low cross to Barnard who fired an angled shot from six yards low into the far corner of the net.
Latics' confidence soared and moments late Obita fired in a wicked shot from the left which forced a diving save from keeper David Martin.
The MK Dons stopper then turned a shot from Jose Baxter round the post for a corner after the former Evertonian had a great inter-change of passes with Barnard.
The visitors equalised in the 39th minute after a terrific solo effort from Powell.
He raced away on the right on to a pass from Jon Otstemobor and from the right of the box fired a terrific shot high into the far corner of the net.
Latics regained the shortly before half time as M'voto found the net with a powerful header from Baxter's free kick which arrowed into the roof of the net.
Half time: Latics 2, MK Dons 1.