Opening period of promise
Latics produced a promising performance in the goalless opening period of their npower League One match at Coventry City.
Paul Dickov's side more than matched the Sky Blues who are only three points adrift of a top six play-off spot.
David Mellor, making his first start of the season, almost made an immediate impact on his return to senior action.
Paul Dickov's side more than matched the Sky Blues who are only three points adrift of a top six play-off spot.
David Mellor, making his first start of the season, almost made an immediate impact on his return to senior action.
Mellor, who is playing left midfield, delivered a terrific third minute inswinging corner which would have gone into the net but for a desperate save from Joe Murphy to claw the ball away from under the crossbar.
Latics' promising start to the the game continued as Murphy was again twice called into action.
First he saved bravely at the feet of Matt Smith and then he dived to keep out a 30-yard free kick from Jose Baxter.
Coventry had a couple of goal attempts, but nothing to seriously trouble keeper Dean Bouzanis.
Aussie Bouzanis (pictured) was called into action after half an hour producing a brilliant tip over John Fleck's curled shot which was looping into the top corner of the net.
From the resulting corner, Coventry had a shout for a penalty rejected after Gary McSheffrey went tumbling inside the six-yard box.
Latics also had shouts for a penalty waved aside after Smith went to ground in the box.
A second corner from Mellor forced another save from Murphy to prevent the ball swinging in under the crossbar.
Half-time: Latics 0, Coventry City 0.