Baxter's costly miss
Latics' troubles in npower League One deepened following their home defeat by AFC Bournemouth.
Brett Pitman's first-half goal ensured Latics remain in the relegation places.
Latics had the chance to rescue a point, but Jose Baxter saw his cheeky penalty saved by keeper Ryan Allsop.
Latics, 1-0 down at the break, had a shout for a penalty themselves rejected soon after the restart when James Tarkowski appeared to be shoved by Simon Francis as he challenged to get his head to a corner.
Brett Pitman's first-half goal ensured Latics remain in the relegation places.
Latics had the chance to rescue a point, but Jose Baxter saw his cheeky penalty saved by keeper Ryan Allsop.
Latics, 1-0 down at the break, had a shout for a penalty themselves rejected soon after the restart when James Tarkowski appeared to be shoved by Simon Francis as he challenged to get his head to a corner.
There was a long overdue flurry of activity just short of the hour.
Lewis Grabban released Pitman but keeper Dean Bouzanis blocked his shot.
Bouzanis then had to deal with shots from Charlie Daniels and Grabban.
Visiting keeper Allsop then turned an angled shot from Jordan Obita round the post for a corner.
Latics made their first change in the 61st minute when Lee Croft was replaced by Kirk Millar.
And he was soon followed by Cristian Montano who came on for Obita.
Latics made their final switch with 21 minutes left when Robbie Simpson took over from Iwelumo.
Latics were handed a lifeline back into the match when they won a penalty following handball by Grabban.
Baxter took the spot kick and tried a cheeky chip down the middle which keeper Allsop read and saved.
Simpson was fouled just outside the penalty area giving Baxter the chance to redeem himself, but his free kick was well saved by Allsop diving full length low to his left.
Bournemouth had a great chance to seal victory in the 85th minute when Steve Cook released Pitman who, clean through, saw his lob land on the roof of the net.
There was the unusual sight of Cherries' substitute Josh McQuoid being booked as he warmed up on the touchline for time wasting as he kicked the ball away.
Full-time: Latics 0, Bournemouth 1.
Latics were handed a lifeline back into the match when they won a penalty following handball by Grabban.
Baxter took the spot kick and tried a cheeky chip down the middle which keeper Allsop read and saved.
Simpson was fouled just outside the penalty area giving Baxter the chance to redeem himself, but his free kick was well saved by Allsop diving full length low to his left.
Bournemouth had a great chance to seal victory in the 85th minute when Steve Cook released Pitman who, clean through, saw his lob land on the roof of the net.
There was the unusual sight of Cherries' substitute Josh McQuoid being booked as he warmed up on the touchline for time wasting as he kicked the ball away.
Full-time: Latics 0, Bournemouth 1.