Baxter silences Pompey chimes
Jose Baxter silenced the Pomey chimes as he gave Latics a 1-0 first-half lead against Portsmouth in npower League One.
The midfield man's 12th goal of the campaign was a tremendous solo effort as Latics maintained their impressive form since Caretaker Manager Tony Philliskirk took temporary charge.
The midfield man's 12th goal of the campaign was a tremendous solo effort as Latics maintained their impressive form since Caretaker Manager Tony Philliskirk took temporary charge.
Latics made a bright start in which Pompey defender Dan Butler made a goalline clearance following a bout of head tennis in the box while Chris Iwelumo's header forced a diving save from Simon Eastwood.
The breakthrough in the 10th minute was no surprise as Baxter found the net.
Baxter picked up a loose ball in midfield, broke forward before unleashing a terrific drive from 25 yards which flew low past Eastwood's despairing dive.
Lee Barnard had a chance to double the lead, but his lob was easily caught by Eastwood.
Pompey's first goal attempt came in the 16th minute when Patrick Agyemang's header forced a comfortable diving save from Dean Bouzanis.
Latics ought to have doubled their advantage midway through the half following a terrible blunder by Yassin Moutaouakil who kicked the ball straight to Lee Croft.
Croft released Jordan Obita who shot wide when clean through on goal.
Latics continued to create chances as Croft's drive cleared the crossbar by inches while a header by Jean-Yves M'voto was just over following Baxter's free kick.
Then in stoppage time, Iwelumo's header from Jonathan Grounds' cross flashed just wide as Latics were unable to build on their advantage.
Half-time: Latics 1, Portsmouth 0.
The breakthrough in the 10th minute was no surprise as Baxter found the net.
Baxter picked up a loose ball in midfield, broke forward before unleashing a terrific drive from 25 yards which flew low past Eastwood's despairing dive.
Lee Barnard had a chance to double the lead, but his lob was easily caught by Eastwood.
Pompey's first goal attempt came in the 16th minute when Patrick Agyemang's header forced a comfortable diving save from Dean Bouzanis.
Latics ought to have doubled their advantage midway through the half following a terrible blunder by Yassin Moutaouakil who kicked the ball straight to Lee Croft.
Croft released Jordan Obita who shot wide when clean through on goal.
Latics continued to create chances as Croft's drive cleared the crossbar by inches while a header by Jean-Yves M'voto was just over following Baxter's free kick.
Then in stoppage time, Iwelumo's header from Jonathan Grounds' cross flashed just wide as Latics were unable to build on their advantage.
Half-time: Latics 1, Portsmouth 0.