It is something we had been working on - Philliskirk
Tony Philliskirk has revealed that the introduction of a youth-team tactic helped Latics secure their 2-2 draw against Everton in the last 16 of the FA Cup with Budweiser.Caretaker Manager Philliskirk (pictured) explained that Matt Smith's 95th minute equaliser was no fluke as they had been working on "loading the box" in training.
He said: "It is something we have done with success in the youth team for the last two years.
"If you put three or four players in the six-yard box, the other team invariably also does likewise.
"And with a couple of players on the posts, before you know it there are eight, nine, ten players in the six-yard box.
"The goal Phil Jagielka scored for Everton came about from the exact set piece from which we have had lots of joy."
Philliskirk added that Smith won the plaudits for scoring, but the key was the delivery from Jonathan Grounds' corner.
He continued: "You can put players where you want at set pieces, but it means nothing if the delivery is not right.
"Fortunately in Jose (Baxter) and Jonathan we have lads with sweet right and left feet and their delivery has been good.
"It has been working well in training and the threat from set pieces is probably something Liverpool and Everton are not used to in the Premier League.
"And it is something we tried to utilise to our advantage."