Latics cut open by Blades
Latics suffered their first defeat in npower League One under Caretaker Manager Tony Philliskirk as promotion-chasing Sheffield United emerged 2-0 victors at Boundary Park.
Second-half goals from Michael Doyle and Dave Kitson ended a run of three successive league wins since Philliskirk took temporary charge.
Second-half goals from Michael Doyle and Dave Kitson ended a run of three successive league wins since Philliskirk took temporary charge.
After a goalless opening period, Latics had the first chance of the second period when James Tarkowski shot harmlessly wide from Jose Baxter's free kick.
But it was the Blades who snatched a 57th-minute lead.
Dominic Poleon broke away on the right and his angled shot was beaten out by keeper Alex Cisak.
The ball rebounded to Doyle whose shot from just inside box went in off the upright.
Poleon might have doubled the lead not long after when he burst clear again only this time to scuff his shot well wide.
Latics made their first substitution midway through the half when Jordan Obita replaced James Wesolowski as Baxter dropped back into midfield and Robbie Simpson moved up front alongside Matt Smith.
There was a shout for a Latics' penalty when Obita crossed from the left and Simpson went sprawling in the middle as he challenged for the ball.
Smith had a chance to equalise but headed wide from 12 yards following a cross from Lee Croft.
Latics made their second switch with 12 minutes left when right-back Connor Brown was sacrificed for striker Chris Iwelumo as Croft reverted to right back and Simpson switched wide right.
Smith produced an excellent turn before shooting and seeing keeper George Long only parry his effort. Dean Furman, following up, was denied by Long who blocked his close-range effort.
The Blades sealed victory in the 86th minute when Cisak dashed 16 yards from his goal and failed to gather Tony McMahon's free kick leaving Kitson free to head into an empty net.
Smith would have halved the deficit in the last minute but for a terrific flying save by Long low to his left to keep out his header.
The Blades might have added a third goal in stoppage time, but Cisak pulled off a great save to keep out Doyle's shot following a counter attack.
Full time: Latics 0, Sheffield United 2.
But it was the Blades who snatched a 57th-minute lead.
Dominic Poleon broke away on the right and his angled shot was beaten out by keeper Alex Cisak.
The ball rebounded to Doyle whose shot from just inside box went in off the upright.
Poleon might have doubled the lead not long after when he burst clear again only this time to scuff his shot well wide.
Latics made their first substitution midway through the half when Jordan Obita replaced James Wesolowski as Baxter dropped back into midfield and Robbie Simpson moved up front alongside Matt Smith.
There was a shout for a Latics' penalty when Obita crossed from the left and Simpson went sprawling in the middle as he challenged for the ball.
Smith had a chance to equalise but headed wide from 12 yards following a cross from Lee Croft.
Latics made their second switch with 12 minutes left when right-back Connor Brown was sacrificed for striker Chris Iwelumo as Croft reverted to right back and Simpson switched wide right.
Smith produced an excellent turn before shooting and seeing keeper George Long only parry his effort. Dean Furman, following up, was denied by Long who blocked his close-range effort.
The Blades sealed victory in the 86th minute when Cisak dashed 16 yards from his goal and failed to gather Tony McMahon's free kick leaving Kitson free to head into an empty net.
Smith would have halved the deficit in the last minute but for a terrific flying save by Long low to his left to keep out his header.
The Blades might have added a third goal in stoppage time, but Cisak pulled off a great save to keep out Doyle's shot following a counter attack.
Full time: Latics 0, Sheffield United 2.